A few years ago, I came upon a music forum post recommending a track called “Cryin Wolf” by ZZ Ward, featuring Kendrick Lamar.  I had no idea who ZZ Ward was, but the mention of the up and coming (at the time) Compton rapper was enough for my curiosity.  Being the sole reason I clicked the link, Kendrick’s guest verse was very solid.  Before it arrived, though, I was already wondering who was responsible for the wonderful blend of crooning female vocals, blues, and rock that formed the previous verses and chorus.  Was this a solo act or a band?  As the YouTube comment meme goes, I came for Kendrick Lamar and stayed for ZZ Ward.

She’s singer / songwriter Zsuzsanna Ward (she made the change to ZZ after no one could pronounce it correctly).  By the time I finished listening to her mixtape Eleven Roses and debut album Til the Casket Drops, both critically praised combinations of blues, rock, and hip hop, I was a big fan left wondering why she’s not more popular.  There was zero recognition among friends to whom I enthusiastically recommended her music.  Now, that isn’t to say ZZ is toiling in total obscurity.  Far from it, in fact; countless artists would give anything for a shot at performing on Good Morning America or being featured on the Cars 3 soundtrack.  Hell, most aspiring musicians never sniff a record deal, album release, or successful live tour, all feats that she’s accomplished.  Still, I can’t help but feel that ZZ Ward’s popularity hasn’t reached a level correlating with her work’s quality.  It’s not unlike the bewilderment when her past collaborator’s To Pimp A Butterfly lost the 2016 Album of the Year Grammy to Taylor Swift’s 1989.  Unfortunately, no one ever claimed the music world is fair when it comes to popularity and accolades.

And of course, not all artists desire superstardom in the first place.  I can’t say if ZZ Ward is one of them, but come on, her recent sophomore album, The Storm, is missing a Wikipedia link.  There’s not much discussion of the album on the internet, not even on her own subreddit that’s more or less dead.  You’re supposed to be able to find anything on Reddit.  She certainly deserves better than that.  The least you can do is check out this very underrated artist’s music and spread the word.