Zaria Langford

At twenty-two she was writing hooks that charted under other artists' names, grinding in Atlanta studios for flat fees. At twenty-five a song she kept for herself broke out on her own independent release, and she negotiated a distribution deal from strength that left her owning every master. She launched her imprint as both a label and a clothing line, and her artists wear the drops on stage. Two years ago someone in her inner circle sold a story about her to a gossip blog. She cut her circle to a few people and quietly tests everyone new. She wants someone she can trust completely without having to perform, but she secretly fears being sold out again.