Zoser

Big risk, big reward. That’s Zoser’s motto. And the college grad who left his corporate position in a downtown Chicago office to pursue his dreams has definitely taken it to heart. Calling himself the “illest MC with a business degree,” Zo is distinguishable by his smooth but raspy voice and pen full of innovative concepts. Knowing that the worst thing that could happen is being forced back into the rat race, Zoser decided to leave his job and finance his own recording and promotion. He recording a full length album, Day 3: The Science, in a Chicago studio and released it on iTunes and in select stores in the Midwest. He is currently eying a nationwide re-release this fall through E1(formerly Koch).
Born in Chicago, IL and raised for most of his years 10 miles south in the suburb of Glenwood, Zoser has called Chicago’s South Side home for the past few years.
Zo’s musical journey began with his father, Lee Coleman, a jazz musician who performed and played with legendary musicians Buddy Guy and six time Grammy Award winning R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. Lee would later trade in his dreams of being a full-time musical artist for fatherhood; however, he still kept his musical outlet by teaching music on the city's West Side in the Chicago Public Schools for over 20 years while at home he surrounded Zo with every type of music from Etta James to B.B. King to Stevie Wonder.
Zo recalls waking up plenty of nights from the sound of his father’s saxophone or trumpet in the basement and running downstairs to find him reminiscing with a cup of scotch. “He taught me that practice and discipline are the only tools you really need to be great. Everyone has a talent, but only a few practice and sharpen theirs,” states Zoser.
Starting where his old man left off, Zoser began saving the money he'd make from raking leaves, shoveling snow or any other hustle he could come up with to pay for studio time at the age of 15. Since then, he’s worked with producers NoI.D., SC, Dug Infinite, Needlz, Jamal Rasheed, Mr. Williams, 5ifth Element, Kenny Keys, the Molemen and more.
Zoser released two street albums part one and two of his seven album series, 1 Day at a Time in 2001 and Day 2: The Lost Sessions in 2006, and began working on his third album Day 3: The Science. Tragically, the passing of his father from a massive heart attack came as a surprise to the MC as he was finishing up the album in late 2008. Unable to write music due to the temporary mental block, Zoser’s only solace was making phone calls to record stores, DJs, promoters and music venues. Leveraging his years of business school, sales experience and music industry know how, Zo created his own independent record label, 1 Day Music Group, Inc. and started distributing his CDs to record stores throughout the Midwest and online through iTunes as well as other sites.
In a way his father’s passing served a purpose for Zoser to focus on the mighty task at hand—being an independent success in an industry dominated by massive Goliath-like corporations. Now with a clear head and more determination than ever, Zoser is back writing and performing, knowing gratitude, faith and persistence are all he needs.