Biography
Zacari, a versatile performer who handles vocals, songwriting, rapping, and various instruments, crafts music that transitions fluidly between emotionally intense R&B and relaxed hip-hop blended with electronic elements. His contribution to Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. propelled the previously under-the-radar musician into association with a major chart success, prompting a deal with Top Dawg Entertainment that yielded releases such as the 2019 EP Run Wild Run Free, the 2021 project SOL, and his inaugural full album Bliss in 2024.
Born as Zacari Pacaldo in Bakersfield, California, he grew up surrounded by music in his family home. At eight years old, he attended a performing arts institution where he picked up the guitar, later adding drums, saxophone, and keyboards to his skills. Post-graduation from high school, he spent three seasonal periods working at a national park in Alaska, saving funds to attend music school in Los Angeles. While based in L.A., he shared his compositions digitally and soon formed partnerships with prominent figures in the industry. Via indirect social links, his saxophone playing led to vocal features alongside Ab-Soul, Larry June, Kembe X, and Isaiah Rashad. The pivotal moment arrived when he presented his track "Lovely" to Kendrick Lamar, who adapted it into "Love" for the 2017 blockbuster album DAMN. Beyond Lamar, that record featured just three guests: Rihanna, U2, and Pacaldo himself.
Subsequently, Pacaldo lent his voice to selections from the 2018 Black Panther movie soundtrack, another Lamar-led endeavor. In January 2019, Top Dawg Entertainment brought him aboard, issuing his debut solo EP Run Wild Run Free shortly thereafter. His subsequent work encompassed team-ups with Skrillex, Sir, Isabella, Blxst, Denzel Curry, among others. December 2021 saw the drop of the four-track EP SOL, followed by independent releases including the 2022 single "Do Better" and 2023's "Motions," both shared with Ab-Soul. These efforts culminated in his first full-length album, Bliss, which came out in July 2024 and included tracks like the singles "Lonewolf Still," "Destiny," and "Faith + Sight" featuring BEAM.
Born as Zacari Pacaldo in Bakersfield, California, he grew up surrounded by music in his family home. At eight years old, he attended a performing arts institution where he picked up the guitar, later adding drums, saxophone, and keyboards to his skills. Post-graduation from high school, he spent three seasonal periods working at a national park in Alaska, saving funds to attend music school in Los Angeles. While based in L.A., he shared his compositions digitally and soon formed partnerships with prominent figures in the industry. Via indirect social links, his saxophone playing led to vocal features alongside Ab-Soul, Larry June, Kembe X, and Isaiah Rashad. The pivotal moment arrived when he presented his track "Lovely" to Kendrick Lamar, who adapted it into "Love" for the 2017 blockbuster album DAMN. Beyond Lamar, that record featured just three guests: Rihanna, U2, and Pacaldo himself.
Subsequently, Pacaldo lent his voice to selections from the 2018 Black Panther movie soundtrack, another Lamar-led endeavor. In January 2019, Top Dawg Entertainment brought him aboard, issuing his debut solo EP Run Wild Run Free shortly thereafter. His subsequent work encompassed team-ups with Skrillex, Sir, Isabella, Blxst, Denzel Curry, among others. December 2021 saw the drop of the four-track EP SOL, followed by independent releases including the 2022 single "Do Better" and 2023's "Motions," both shared with Ab-Soul. These efforts culminated in his first full-length album, Bliss, which came out in July 2024 and included tracks like the singles "Lonewolf Still," "Destiny," and "Faith + Sight" featuring BEAM.
Albums
Singles
