The haunting track “I Won’t Sell My Soul,” like all of Zheani’s creative output, can be best understood as an attempt at manifestation. Taking shadowed and broken pieces of memory and arranging them in such a way that they inspire and invoke strength. The rap verse gives a blunt and chilling insight into Zheani’s family background.

Her raw and unfiltered approach to her work resonates with her organic and engaged audience.

Zheani states, “Through this project I want to address the dark memories of my past so I never have to look back into the abyss again. It’s not going to be pretty but it’s what I feel I need to do. A part of me hopes that most people will find it hard to relate to the lyrics but the sad fact is I know that far too many will and I’m sorry if you do.”

The video for “I Won’t Sell My Soul” captures Zheani’s appreciation of contemporary performance art and subverts its aesthetics to illustrate the meaning behind the song. “With blood in your eyes you can’t see the same.” There is an occult significance to blood. Blood like the blood spilled in horrific scenes of domestic violence that Zheani bore witness to and experienced in her childhood. In the video, with the help of her creative collaborator Mik Shida, Zheani takes these Gummoesque concepts and attempts to make them beautiful. “I won’t sell my soul.”

Not one to be muffled by the industry, artist’s barriers or controversy, Zheani became a hero in some circles as a David vs Goliath archetype when she dropped her now infamous song “The Question”.  Since then she has experienced every emotional roller coaster ride the music business has to offer. She has seen her name attached to falsehoods, dealt with people working against her behind the scenes to have her censored and still stood dignified despite attacks that would have shattered the life of the average 26-year-old woman.

“I Won’t Sell My Soul” will be released via eOne and Zheani’s 8Gang records.

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