Sabukaru Meets Jackzebra: Above, Beyond & Between
Jackzebra, real name Zhang Zhengkai, is a 23-year-old artist making waves in the underground music scene, both in China and globally, often dubbed the "Chinese Bladee." He started rapping at 18, inspired during a reflective moment, eating chocolate cake alone. His music blends reverb-heavy, Auto-Tuned sounds with Mandarin lyrics that shift between self-doubt and confidence, evoking Gen Z alienation and digital highs. Unconstrained by genre, it’s been called rap, emo, or dream pop. Collaborating with artists such as Bloodzboi, kuru, Billion Happy, and Acid Souljah, he has joined Surf Gang, a New York collective pushing experimental rap. His 34-track mixtape, Above & Beyond, is a personal, collage-like project with beats from close collaborators. Sabukaru got the chance to catch up with Jackzebra in a chill chat about life & music.
Jackzebra. Let’s start easy. Can you please introduce yourself to the Sabukaru network readers?
Hey, I'm Jackzebra, a 23-year-old Chinese rapper.
Was there a specific moment or feeling that made you realise “I want to make music for real”?
On my eighteenth birthday, a TV series was playing in the background, my parents were laughing, and I was eating chocolate cake alone at the dining table. I wanted to give rap a serious try.
How would you describe the world you’re building with Jackzebra to someone who’s never heard your music?
It's good and cool.
How do you navigate wanting to be “global” while staying rooted in where you’re from?
I don't know, thanks to the internet, maybe.
Your name often pops up on r/sadboys, there’s a viral meme that you're the Chinese bladee. Does that comparison annoy you, amuse you, or mean something else?
It's fun.
How does your latest album, Above and Beyond, compare to your earlier work? Did you approach it differently this time around?
First of all, this is a mixtape. Secondly, all the beats I used on this mixtape were from producers I know, from lively beats to quiet beats. This is because I have always had this idea, which is to put all these talented people in one work, like a picture album. The lyrics are my annotations, just for my collection. So this is more selfish and delicate than previous works.
How do you feel about the Chinese creative and rap scene overall? What do you hope happens or changes?
Honestly, I have no idea. But it's getting better and better, young people are taking over, the future is bright, I believe.
Dream collab? Producers or artists
Siniaco Josehan Punmailone.
Lowkey favourite Chinese dish?
Lanzhou Beef Noodles & Spicy and Sour Cabbage.
Lastly, how do you stay grounded in a scene that’s obsessed with image, virality, and the next drop?
Keep walking, never look back.
Interview & Words Abeer
