ZAXAI (Za.K.eye)

During Monday’s live episode of “The Voice” Season 15, soul artist Zaxai of Team Kelly Clarkson performed “When I Need You” for America’s votes. Prior to this performance, Zaxai sang “Come and Get Your Love” in the blind auditions, “Love Lies” in the battles and “Cruisin'” in the knockouts. Since 24 artists performed live on November 12, there was no time for judges’ comments. Do you think Zaxai will advance to the Top 13? Watch “The Voice” live playoff video above and then make your predictions at Gold Derby.

SEE‘The Voice’ live playoffs: Sarah Grace sings the blues with ‘When Something Is Wrong With My Baby’ [WATCH]
In his “The Voice” live blog, our recapper Denton Davidson had this to say about the live performance: “With ‘When I Need You,’ Zaxai is up next. He is working that feather in his hat! If Kelly has a STAR on her team, it’s Zaxai and she was lucky to snag him off of Team Jennifer. He’s probably the best looking man in the competition and he knows how to work the stage. Was it perfect? Not at all but it was by FAR the best from Team Kelly so far.”

According to NBC’s bio, “Zaxai is first generation Haitian-American and attributes his musical diversity to his father. Zaxai didn’t discover his voice until he was 12, and he picked up the guitar a few years later. In college, Zaxai toured with a gospel band and since graduating has been part of various other bands. Currently, Zaxai can be found in Brooklyn as a part of Baku Palace’s house band, where he performs in a variety of languages and music genres, or performing in his own band, Date Night.” - Marcus James Dixon

There’s more fierce battles on the way on “The Voice”!

In a sneak peek at Monday’s episode exclusive to Access, two of Team Jennifer’s artists – Tyshawn Colquitt and Zaxai – present their Oscar-winning coach with one of her toughest decisions yet. The powerhouses both nail their soulful rendition of Khalid and Normani’s “Love Lies,” harmonizing and riffing to perfection.

The performance earned a standing O from Jennifer – and even had Kelly Clarkson dancing in her seat!

Which artist do you think should advance to the Knockout rounds?

“The Voice” airs on Mondays and Tuesdays 8/7c on NBC.

(watch battle here) - NBC ACCESS ONLINE

Team Kelly’s Cody Ray Raymond had to depart the show for personal reasons, so the next Knockout matchup involved three artists. Kymberli Joye, Zaxai and Natasia Greycloud all faced off in a battle of the divas.

Joye sang “The Middle” by Maren Morris and Zedd, and her gospel background came through, leading to strong ad libs and runs. She showcased impressive range and made the song her own.

Nastasia Greycloud followed with her performance of “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton. The country singer showcased her range and strong creative sensibilities, making it clear that pop-country is the right lane for her. It already seemed like a close Knockout.

And then Zaxai stepped up with his performance of “Crusin” by Smokey Robinson. The song choice suited him well, and Carey worked with him on his falsetto. He brought charisma and strong vocals to his performance, leaving Clarkson with a very difficult decision to make. She went with Joye and Zaxai, leaving Greycloud on the chopping block. But Shelton unsurprisingly stole the country singer. - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya of Billboard Magazine

BROOKLYN -
Councilman Jumaame Williams teamed up with a contestant from "The Voice" to spread holiday cheer in Brownsville.

Williams and singer Zaxai delivered presents to pediatric patients, nurses and doctors at Brookdale Medical Center.

"To have visitors coming and singing and…interact with them means the world to them," says Alexa Krestberg, a child life specialist at Brookdale Hospital.

Patients, nurses and doctors were also treated to a Christmas carol and performance by Zaxai and his band.

Williams and Zaxai were able to hand out over presents to at least 50 children.

(watch video above) - Brooklyn News 12

Zaxai, the city’s final competitor on this season of “The Voice,” was cut Tuesday night after previously being given a second chance at the winner's title by judge Kelly Clarkson.

“When she stole me, I was elated and ecstatic,” says Alberto Pierre, the 29-year-old Flatbush native, who performs under the moniker Zaxai (pronounced zahk-EYE). “The way they edited it, you couldn’t see my full, full reaction, but I wish you could because it’s so funny. She [Clarkson] pressed the button and I jumped up super high and said, ‘can I hug her?’ ”

Clarkson stole Zaxai from rival judge Jennifer Hudson’s team during a battle that aired last month, helping him become the only New Yorker to make it to the talent competition series’ live rounds.

On Monday, he performed a rendition of Leo Sayer’s “When I Need You” while a smiling Clarkson listened along. On Tuesday, he was cut.

“What I hope to gain from ‘The Voice’ is just a crazy diverse fun fanbase,” says the Haitian-American singer who found his voice at age 13 while performing with his church’s gospel choir. “I want a crazy fan base that’s ready to ride or die with me on this journey.”

With “The Voice” behind him, Zaxai is headed back to Brooklyn, where he performs with his band Date Night at Baku Palace on Emmons Avenue. Below, he reflects on his time on “The Voice.”

You and Kelly Clarkson had a run-in meeting a few years before your fates collided on “The Voice.”

OK, so [in 2010] I was working at Radio City Music Hall as an usher, and when you’re stationed at stage left or right -- I’m 6’2 I’m super tall -- you’re supposed to keep the aisles clear and keep people from jumping on chairs. So, I’m crouched and my head is against the stage. I don’t realize she’s behind me -- I’m looking at the kids jumping into the aisle and I’m trying to keep it clear. I notice the kids want to rush, but I wasn’t sure why. I felt a thump on the back of my head and I look above me and it’s Kelly Clarkson. I was like "Holy smokes, it’s Kelly Clarkson." I promise you I’m starstruck. I’m fixed on her. Little do I know the kids took that opportunity to run up the aisle into her. She didn’t [notice] because she’s in the moment. She didn’t care and I really didn’t care. I told my friends I’d never wash my head again.

Through your time as an usher, were you imagining you’d return to the venue later on from a different point of view?

That’s a promise I still hold to this day. I told myself the last day at Radio City, I will come back as an artist. I still plan to be super big, but I want to always come back to Radio City, before Madison Square Garden. It's home to me.

You stood out this season for having a wide range of genres under your belt, from gospel to blues to pop. How did you make the switch from singing gospel at the City College of New York to performing soul/R&B on stage?

I grew up in a Haitian-American church and aside from all the pop stuff and international stuff my dad would play, my mom would play gospel. Around age 13, I joined my church and lied about my age to get into the choir because I really wanted to sing. Around 17, I joined a touring gospel band and that’s when I really got my foot into music … I remember I was really afraid to leave the gospel scene because I was afraid of being chastised by other people, musicians, church heads. Not to say the church is like that, though it can be. What comes across as genuine when I’m singing? Especially in New York City, I’m a part of so many different bands with different genres. I’m big on being genuine, so I looked for what felt most right for me.

Given you’re finding your footing in the city’s performance scene, would you consider busking?

It’s funny, I’ve tried to. I think that’s one of the only stages I can’t conquer. I don’t know why I get so nervous. I’ve literally performed in front of 3,000 people alongside other singers and I’m not nervous. For some reason I’m just too nervous it’s one of those things I just can’t conquer. My brother who does it tells me all the time it’s about coming across authentic. Music has the ability to heal and spread love. He tells me stories constantly about how he comes on the train and he can see people’s faces, like ahh, here we go again. But he tells me all the time the atmosphere just shifts when they hear him. I am going to eventually, but for now, I haven’t conquered that yet. - Meghan Giannotta of "amNY"

The grind doesn’t stop for this talented singer
As our first year as a platform reaches its last few days, it is only right to celebrate with a talent like Brooklyn’s own Zaxai. After all, 2017 was the year in which the soulful singer began to see his hard work and dedication into his craft, begin to gain momentum. The year in which he described as his best year yet was filled with gigs and projects such as his very first EP “Rendez-vous Chapt 1.”We caught up with Zaxai to talk to him about his cultured beginnings and the grind of being an indie artist. As you’ll read, he described his journey as having simply a wallet and a dream. After the year he’s had, that dream is that much closer to being attained. The underrated talent has put the work in, and we predict that 2018 will be when it all takes shape. - Gritty Vibes

Zaxai joins Q Christopher, Tati Dani & Anais for a special episode of Nocturnal Vibes Radio. Zaxai speaks on his work in Haiti, his music and gives a special acoustic performance of his upcoming single, "Find Me Here:. - Nocturnal Vibes Radio

Zaxai – ‘Find Me Here’
April 13, 2018
Bryon William

Zaxai (pronounced Zah-K-eye) is an eclectic soul/pop artist out of Brooklyn with a diverse musical background that includes rock, pop, soul, r&b, gospel, and classical. Zaxai is multi-talented, being a singer, songwriter, producer, acoustic guitarist and beat boxer are just a few of his expertise. Zaxai believes that music is a universal language that can bring people together. At the age of 18, Zaxai was traveling the U.S. singing professionally. Being exposed to the ins and outs of the industry, Zaxai was ready to begin his solo career. His song, “Find Me Here” from his project ‘Too Far Gone’ is a great way to introduce yourself to his top-notch sound.


The song kicks off with a melodic acoustic guitar progression accompanied by pristine falsetto vocalizes from Zaxai making for a gripping introduction. Transitioning into the first verse, Zaxai sings, “8 hours is keeping us apart. /Curse the miles between our spaces. /Truth is without you, life is dark/& You're the light, my hearts been chasin,” showing off his immaculate vocal tone that listeners will swoon over right from the first note sung. Shifting into the pre-chorus, the arrangement beings to build with the addition of bass and additional production creating a compelling build into the chorus.

“Find Me Here” is all about hope and love. It is for those who are fighting for the ones they love, and a reminder to those in love to not let go. With an explosion in energy, Zaxai enters in the chorus exclaiming, “So find me here/Take that flight, a leap of faith and /Join me here! /Don't deny what's deep inside,” as he woos listeners with with lush falsetto and unforgettable melodies making this everything you want in a chorus.

Zaxai is an undeniably talented musician that clearly has the potential to leave his own mark in the music scene. With songs like “Find Me Here” there would be no surprise to see Zaxai’s music blow up. His music is available via Spotify as well as iTunes and Google Play. Make sure to keep up with Zaxai and follow him on Instagram! - Please Pass the Indie (A division of BWH Music Group)