Zebra Katz

Zebra Katz
Birth name Ojay Morgan
Genres Hip hop, alternative hip hop, electronic, dark wave
Occupation(s) Songwriter, rapper
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2010s–present
Labels Mad Decent
Website http://zebrakatz.com/

Zebra Katz is the stage name of Ojay Morgan,[1] an American rapper best known for his 2012 single "Ima Read".[1] He is part of a wave of "queer hip hop" artists who emerged in the 2010s, who were influenced by elements of the LGBT African American ball culture;[2] other artists in the same movement include Mykki Blanco, Cakes da Killa, House of LaDosha and Le1f.[2]

The single "Ima Read", which took off when fashion designer Rick Owens used a repeated loop of the song to soundtrack his 2012 show at Paris Fashion Week,[3] was released on Jeffree's, Diplo's imprint for the Mad Decent record label.[4] Its video was directed by RUBEN XYZ.[5] It has been described by The Guardian as "queer rap's crossover hit",[6] and has been widely remixed by artists as diverse as Tricky,[7] Azealia Banks,[7] Gangsta Boo,[7] Grimes[7] and Busta Rhymes.[1]

Zebra Katz was originally created while Morgan was studying at Eugene Lang College in New York City,[8] growing out of a performance art piece called "Moor Contradictions".[9] He subsequently worked on songs and videos as a hobby[9] while working as a manager for a catering company,[1] and began to pursue music more actively when he started garnering wider attention following the Owens show.[1]

Morgan conceives of Zebra Katz as "the dark rapper, the dark villain, the dark lord of the fashion world".[10] The single "Ima Read" is an allusion and tribute to Paris Is Burning, the influential 1990 documentary film about ball culture.[11]

Morgan has since released two mixtapes, Champagne (2012) and DRKLNG (2013).[12] He has performed many concerts in the United States and the United Kingdom, both solo and as an opening act for Azealia Banks,[13] as well as Scissor Sisters, and has also released several follow-up singles on Mad Decent.

In May 2015, he released his 6-track EP Nu Renegade with Leila.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Featured in

References

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