New York rapper Zak Downtown makes swaggering, playful hip-hop with a catchy, pop-oriented vibe. Raised in Manhattan's West Village, Downtown first became seriously interested in rap while in high school. Influenced by older groups like Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as contemporary artists including Kanye West and Cam'ron, Downtown started out by freestyling at parties. These impromptu performances eventually led him to a friend's home recording studio, where he began working on his own tracks. After high school, Downtown enrolled at NYU, during which time he continued to pursue a rap career, performing in clubs around the city. In 2015, Downtown garnered further attention with his single "Kylie Kendall," a reference to the Keeping Up with the Kardashian sisters. ~ Matt Collar