SINGER-SONGWRITER
HZion is already a familiar face with customers at the Apple store in Manchester’s Arndale Centre.
Zion, real name Kunmi Ogunsola, works part-time fixing Apple devices on the store’s Genius Bar - but now he’s aiming to be a fixture on people’s iPods if he wins a record deal on The Voice UK.
Zion, a gospel and soul singer whose musical influences include Beyonce, Coldplay and Prince, is aiming to impress the coaches on the ITV singing show and go on to land a recording contract with Universal’s record label UMOD.
The 26-year-old, who has previously released five singles on iTunes, is hoping the The Voice UK will be the platform for him to achieve his dream and get his break in the music industry.
He told us: “I’m surrounded by music but this is very different. I want to make music and I want to tour. When I applied for The Voice I did it very quietly. I didn’t tell anyone apart from my mum.”
The freelance graphic designer from Hulme suffers with nerves and by taking part in the hit show he had to fight confidence issues in his head.
“I’m not shy, I’m quite personable and I love people,” he explained.
“But when it comes to music there’s a lot of room for judgement.”
Zion’s musical talent was realised back in 2008 when he was a drummer as part of his church worship group.
He started singing in church and performing in bars and clubs in Manchester and was persuaded to apply for The Voice by friends.
“I’ve been singing for years but TV is a big stage and I’ve never had the confidence before,” he said.
Viewers will find out how Zion gets on in the audition stage of the contest tonight at 8.30pm.