Jordan Cordel: A Rising Star with a Vision

From childhood memories of pretending to be in a band with his sister and cousin to freestyling in cars with friends, Zmajor’s love for music has always been a constant. “I’ve loved music since I was a kid,” he says. “My sister Zoriyah and my cousin Ashley used to act like we were in a band—it was great times.” This early bond with music turned into something more serious as Zmajor grew older. “Me and my homies were freestyling in the car, and after one of those sessions, my homie KD was like, ‘We need to get in a studio.’ And boom, here we are.” Music wasn’t just a hobby—it became a way of life. Themes and Messages in His Music Zmajor’s work is deeply personal, rooted in the experiences that have shaped him. “Some songs are about what I’ve seen growing up, what I went through, or what I’m dealing with now,” he explains. Yet, his ultimate goal is to offer a more positive message. “I want to have more of a positive message in my music, and that’s something I’m working on,” he shares. Artistic Style and Process When it comes to his style, Zmajor prides himself on his creativity, especially when it comes to beat selection and wordplay. “I think I’m creative when it comes to beat selection and wordplay. I normally just go off the top of my head when I record,” he says. This improvisational approach allows him to capture raw, unfiltered emotion, making each track feel authentic and fresh. Influences in His Music While Zmajor doesn’t cite specific artistic movements, his musical influences are clear. “I listen to a lot of Kodak Black, Rod Wave, Young Thug, Gunna, and JayDaYoungan, so I guess you can say they’re the reason I like music,” he admits. These artists have inspired Zmajor’s unique sound, blending street narratives with melodic flows and emotional depth. The Most Challenging Song Creating music isn’t always easy, and Zmajor recalls one of his toughest experiences in the studio: “The song ‘Why You Lyin’ ft Kay/dee and Tré Si, on my new EP ‘Major Redemption,’ was probably the most challenging.” The challenge came when his friend Luke hosted an impromptu 3v3 song competition in the studio. “We had 10 minutes to find a beat and 10 minutes to record it to see who had the best song.” Despite the time pressure, Zmajor’s team came out on top, with “Why You Lyin” winning the challenge. “That experience taught me how to come up with lyrics off the top of my head and how to record songs quickly,” he reflects. Creative Process and Inspiration Zmajor’s creative process is grounded in his surroundings. “My inspiration is my surroundings. I talk about things I’ve seen, lived, or am living,” he explains. He often turns real-life experiences into art, adding humor or lightness to tough situations. “Some of my songs I make jokes out of my situations,” he shares. “Like if something happens, I’ll take a mental note or write it down and say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to talk about this right here.’” Advice for Emerging Artists For those just starting out in music, Zmajor’s advice is simple yet powerful: “Stay true to yourself and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. If you have a dream, go catch it and don’t get complacent.” He draws inspiration from basketball legend Dwyane Wade, saying, “My favorite basketball player, Dwyane Wade, once said, ‘My belief is stronger than your doubt.’ I live by that, so with that being said, keep going and don’t give up.” Connect with Zmajor To follow Zmajor’s musical journey, you can find him on Instagram at @Zmajor_3. With his dedication, passion, and authenticity, Zmajor is undoubtedly an artist to watch as he continues to rise. With his genuine voice, undeniable talent, and drive, Zmajor is carving his path in the music world, bringing his Broward County roots to the forefront. Expect more from this emerging artist as he continues to develop his sound and share his story with the world.   https://www.instagram.com/zmajor_3?igsh=MW5oeTdoemFtcnN5cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Jordan Cordel’s musical journey began at an early age, with church performances at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas. “I began singing at age 8,” he recalls. “That’s where it all started for me.” As a teenager, he honed his craft, winning multiple talent shows throughout high school, even securing three consecutive state wins in UIL solo competitions. His passion for music grew during college at Stephen F. Austin State University, and he eventually started a band at Lamar State College Port Arthur. After graduation, Jordan’s father encouraged him to pursue music professionally, a pivotal moment in his journey. “I briefly lived in Los Angeles and then moved to Austin in 2020 to finish school and focus on music,” Jordan says. Since then, he’s released over four EPs, a compilation album, and multiple music videos with thousands of views, all while completing both his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from the prestigious McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. His dedication paid off when he placed in the Top 10 of the Coast 2 Coast Live World Championship in 2021, standing out as the only singer among all the competitors. Jordan has collaborated with legendary producers like Zaytoven, D Billy, and Bryan Michael Cox, and in 2024, he had the honor of performing the National Anthem twice for Texas Athletics on ESPN. “I’ve accomplished all of this as an independent artist,” he shares. “I can’t wait for someone to give me a shot—I decided to create those opportunities myself.” Creative Process Jordan’s creative process is anything but conventional. “Sometimes, ideas hit me based on real-life experiences, other times I’m inspired by another artist’s music, or even a beat I hear,” he says. “I’ve woken up in the middle of the night with a melody in my head and rushed to record it in my voice memos so I don’t lose the concept.” Jordan thrives in spontaneous creativity, and some of his most authentic tracks were made in one take, particularly during “R&B freestyle” sessions with friends. As for his working environment, Jordan enjoys isolation when writing lyrics but also welcomes collaboration with positive, like-minded individuals. “Good vibes only,” he laughs, emphasizing the importance of the right energy when creating. Challenges and Growth The road to success hasn’t been without its hurdles. “Where do I begin?” Jordan jokes when asked about the challenges he’s faced. “The industry is all about streaming numbers and going viral. Sometimes it feels like talent takes a backseat to meeting certain criteria.” He’s had to contend with unfulfilling record deals and even had songs and concepts taken by more established artists. Despite these setbacks, Jordan has remained true to himself and his vision. “I decided to stop waiting for someone else to give me a chance,” he shares. “I started releasing my own music, creating my own music videos, booking my shows, and networking. Now, I move like a boss.” Jordan believes that sometimes setbacks are what set you up for your breakthrough. Connecting with Fans Jordan’s fans are at the heart of his journey. He connects with them directly through social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, using these spaces to share his music and engage with his growing global audience. “My favorite fan experience is looking into the crowd and seeing someone sing my song word-for-word,” he says. “It’s a beautiful experience that I don’t take for granted.” In Austin, Jordan also performs live to engage with the local community, steadily growing his fanbase. When releasing music videos, he uses targeted ads to identify where his audience is, ensuring his music reaches the right ears. Upcoming Projects Looking ahead, Jordan is gearing up to release his highly anticipated debut album, You Made Me This Way, later this year. “It’s been three years in the making,” he shares. “I truly believe it’ll be one of the best R&B albums of 2025. But I’ll let the world decide that.” He’s also excited about his upcoming tour, which will accompany the album’s release, and his performance of the National Anthem for Texas Athletics at the Moody Center—his biggest stage yet. “There are more amazing opportunities coming up, but fans will have to stay tuned,” Jordan teases. Musical Influences Jordan’s musical influences are as varied as his sound. He admires legends like Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, and Whitney Houston, striving to emulate their excellence and precision. He also draws inspiration from contemporary artists such as Bruno Mars, Usher, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Brandy, and Lucky Daye. “These artists have helped me become unafraid to experiment with different sounds,” he explains. “As a singer, they inspire me to keep perfecting my craft, from my falsetto to my runs.” Social Impact While Jordan believes that musicians don’t always have to address social issues directly through their art, he’s passionate about using his platform to speak up. “It’s important to stand up and shine a light on the issues that matter, whether through social media or interviews,” he says. “My music isn’t necessarily political, but I’m always going to advocate for peace and love.” Advice for Aspiring Musicians Jordan’s advice for emerging artists is simple but powerful: “You have to believe in yourself more than anyone else does. Invest in yourself and don’t wait for someone else to create opportunities for you. Express yourself freely, don’t settle for less than your worth, and trust that if you have what it takes, the world will notice.” Jordan Cordel’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and self-belief. From his humble beginnings in Port Arthur to becoming a rising star in Austin’s music scene, Jordan is on the fast track to greatness. His upcoming album promises to be a defining moment in his career, and his unwavering commitment to his craft ensures that his star will only continue to rise. Follow Jordan Cordel: Instagram: @jordancordel Twitter: @jordancordel YouTube: Jordan Cordel YouTube TikTok: @jordan_cordel