ZINADELPHIA
TMN EXCLUSIVE
ZINADELPHIA: Every Aspect of My Life Is One Giant Art Project
Watch the full interview with Zinadelphia at ACL Music Festival 2025. Photo cover by Frankie Vergara for ACL Fest 2025.
At ACL Music Festival 2025, TMN creator Aja Haywood caught up with Zinadelphia, the Philly-born singer who’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in neo-soul. For Zinadelphia, this wasn’t just another stop on tour — it was the stop. “This was probably the stop that I was most excited about,” she told us. “This is just kind of a dream come true to play a festival of this magnitude.”
AUSTIN, TX. Written by Pablo Herrera. Interview by Aja Haywood
Zinadelphia’s stage name is more than a title. It’s a reminder of where she comes from. “I wanted to carry the traits of that city with me as I endured whatever happened in the music industry,” she said. Philly’s music scene, in her words, is built on “pure intentions,” where artists show up for each other without ego. That sense of community has shaped the way she sees her career.
Her journey began in small, messy ways — singing in the shower, joining School of Rock, and eventually forming a college band that played every venue they could. “We played every little bar, every house show,” she recalled. “It was just very organic.” That foundation gave her the resilience to navigate the highs and lows of pursuing music.
And the lows are real. “It’s up and down every single day,” she admitted. “Some days you’re like, this is inevitable, this is meant for me. Other days, it’s like, am I really supposed to do this? What’s my backup plan?” But no matter the doubt, she returns to one truth: “I will always be in love with playing music.”
Her EP The Magazine captures that honesty. The standout track “Glory Over Love” became an anthem born from frustration. “Women… are faced with some man making you feel small or unworthy,” she said. “I just need to write a song about this.” The crowd’s response proved how universal the feeling was. “I love that we can all scream it together, but I hate that we can all relate to it.”
Zinadelphia during her set at ACL Festival. Photo by Frankie Vergara for ACL Fest 2025.
When asked about advice for young artists, she didn’t sugarcoat it: play shows. All kinds of shows. “You have to play a bad show so you can play good shows,” she said. “Every single show is the same, whether it’s ten people or ten thousand.” That hands-on experience, she argued, is just as essential as any online buzz.
She also stressed the importance of visuals and self-reliance. With a background in graphic design, Zinadelphia takes control of her own branding and artwork. “It just makes all of your stuff feel like you,” she explained. To her, music and art are part of the same big project: “Every aspect of my life feels like one giant art project.”
Before wrapping up, she left us with a mantra she carries with her: “What you seek is seeking you.” At ACL 2025, with thousands of people discovering her voice, it feels like the universe might just be listening.
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