Zon’ya Lanier, 17, was a finalist in a statewide anti-drug song competition
Zon’ya Lanier wants to be a different kind of rapper.
The 17-year-old junior at Burlington Township High School recently performed at a show in North Jersey after being selected as a finalist in a statewide anti-drug music competition.
“If I do become successful in the music industry, I plan to have a totally different game plan,” Lanier said.
“I want to have all my songs (with) no profanity,” he added. “No objectification of women. No drugs. It’s going to be totally different.”
Lanier’s song, “Life is a Gift,” features verses about the dangers of drug addiction and why young people should take a different path in life. He entered the track in “Shout Down Drugs,” an annual competition held by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.
“Life is a Gift” was one of 17 songs from across the state picked to advance to a final round by a panel of judges as well as online voting.
Lanier performed along with the other finalists at a show held April 27 in Mendham, Morris County.
“It was nerve-wracking,” he said. “That was my first time ever performing in front of people, and there was like a lot of people there.”
Later this month, Lanier will perform for a crowd again. He is working on a song entitled “Decisions” he will perform for his classmates at an upcoming assembly. The track will deal with the decisions students will be presented with the night of prom.
Lanier is also planning to do a presentation for junior and senior health classes at the high school examining the messages behind some well-known songs and how popular culture influences teenagers’ attitudes toward drugs and sex.
Lanier, whose musical influences include Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Logic, said he wants to continue writing songs and performing after he graduates.
“I can’t see myself doing anything else other than performing,” he said.
“That’s my №1 dream. I know that’s where I want to be,” Lanier said. “I got to try my best accomplish that.”
To listen to Lanier’s song “Life is a Gift,” visit the Shout Down Drugs competition website at http://shoutdowndrugs.com and click on the “Contestants” tab.
