Zhavia Ward is only 19 years old, but her captivating music stems from a place of wisdom and empathy. Since her breakthrough performance on FOX’s The Four competition back in 2017, there have been over 400 million views of Zhavia’s music videos, including her award-winning rendition of “A Whole New World” with ZAYN for Aladdin, as well as Deadpool 2’s “Welcome To The Party,” alongside Diplo, Lil Pump, and French Montana. As she continues to display her range, Zhavia’s deeply personal songwriting follows the 2019’s 17- EP with new music, beginning with “Waiting.”

While her knuckles display tattoo ink that reads “kind soul,” life has not always been so kind to Zhavia. Standout video “17” recalls evictions, popcorn dinners, and a musician mother who risked two jobs for her daughter’s dreams. “People saw me on the show, but they never really knew how I grew up, where I came from, and what I went through,” she explains. “There was a lot of sacrifice to get on that show.” For the visual, she showcased her concrete roots in the streets of Norwalk, California. In doing so, Zhavia cultivated a relationship with her fans. The soulful and honest single now has over 60 million streams. “I love interacting with the people that I hope to inspire. To write a personal song and share my whole life, it felt important. For anybody who is going through something similar, if I can make it out, they can make it out.”

In 2020, Zhavia builds on that momentum with “Waiting.” It is another song that draws from real experiences but applies to all. The stunning vocal confronts the non-believers and fair-weather friends. “To me, it’s essential not to pay attention to those kinds of people, and not include them in my life,” Zhavia admits. After years of failing to fit in amid her musical dreams and one-of-a-kind style, haters suddenly want to be friends. In the symbolic visual, Zhavia unmasks captors, only to reveal a lack of substance. As she puts it, “What they say means nothing.”

The single is the first sample of new Zhavia music in more than a year. She is currently writing the makings of her Columbia Records debut. “It’s taken me a long time to develop it, but I think that I’m in a place where I’ve found my true voice,” notes the singer who recently completed her first headlining tour. Vogue, ELLE, and Us Weekly have highlighted Zhavia’s fashion as well as her music. The avid painter who customizes much of her wardrobe soon plans to launch clothing and makeup lines.

Approaching her debut, Zhavia continues to garner more recognition. 2019’s update of “A Whole New World” has achieved nearly 200 million Spotify streams. The ZAYN collaboration for Disney’s Aladdin also earned the artist a Teen Choice Award. Other high-profile work on Marvel’s Deadpool 2 soundtrack showed more versatility to a dynamic artist who refuses to be boxed in by genre, age, or anything else. Perhaps that’s why legends like Missy Elliott and TLC are among those who have publicly supported Ward’s blend of talent and individualism. Those values are core to Zhavia’s message and her brand. “I always urge people just to be yourself and not give up so easily,” she explains. That belief and fierce drive turned life around for Zhavia. “At the end of the day, it’s about you and your happiness, and that’s all that matters.”