236. Zac Clejan: The Trap Violinist

"I left my corporate job to dive in with the idea to start rapping and playing violin." -Zac Clejan Welcome to another exciting episode of the Turmeric & Tequila Podcast! I'm your host, Kristen Olson, and today, we're thrilled to have Zac Clejan, the incredible "trap violinist," join us. Zac's unique fusion of classical violin and hip-hop is making waves in the music scene. In this episode, Zac shares his inspiring journey from a tough childhood and strained family relationships to quitting his corporate job just before COVID to fully commit to his musical dreams. We'll discuss the importance of self-belief, persistence, and building a supportive community. Zac offers insights into his creative process, blending rap and violin, and discusses the essential business skills needed for independent artists to succeed. A special thanks to our sponsors—Lux Neuro, Declan James Watches, and Colorado Clownfish Swim School. So, grab your turmeric latte or favorite tea, and let's dive into this powerful episode! Time Stamps: 00:00 Classically trained musician combines hip hop violin. 03:24 Podcast emphasizes mental health, creative outlets' importance. 07:34 Self-education and embracing failure for growth. 12:45 Business skills crucial for creatives' success. 15:31 Success requires unseen hard work and mentorship. 17:52 Learning music independently through social media platforms. 20:53 Trust small community; ignore broader industry opinions. 23:03 Quit job pre-COVID, utilized support for music. 25:49 Writing driven by intense emotions and experiences. 30:24 Focus on your journey, avoid comparisons. 35:00 Developed unique style: violin and vocal hook. 36:05 Uniting communities through music, bridging exclusive gaps. 40:19 Two albums coming soon; check social links 44:36 Zach inspires entrepreneurs; a mentor through music. 45:44 Outro   Zac Clejan: Clejan is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and classically trained violinist from Atlanta, GA. Gaining notoriety for his uniquely blended style of music, He has appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Show, opened up for Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, French Montana & Soulja Boy, all helping his social following grow to over 1.5 million under his handle @thetrapviolinist. He has released 75+ original songs to this date with millions of streams across platforms. https://clejan.com/ https://x.com/clejanmusic https://www.instagram.com/thetrapviolinist/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thetrapviolinist   Connect with T&T: IG: @TurmericTequila Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com Host: Kristen Olson IG: @Madonnashero Tik Tok: @Madonnashero Website: www.KOAlliance.com WATCH HERE   MORE LIKE THIS: https://youtu.be/ZCFQSpFoAgI?si=Erg8_2eH8uyEgYZF   https://youtu.be/piCU9JboWuY?si=qLdhFKCGdBzuAeuI  https://youtu.be/9Vs2JDzJJXk?si=dpjV31GDqTroUKWH