Over the last decade, Zacardi Cortez’s muscularly dynamic vocals have established him as one of soul music’s new leaders. The gruff-voiced tenor has scored No. 1 hits such as “1 on 1” and “Oh, How I Love You,” which recently spent a dozen weeks atop the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart.
Now, he’s recorded his most heartfelt musical statement yet with “You Don’t Know” (Black Smoke Music Worldwide). It opens softly with Cortez singing, “You don’t know what I’ve been through, let me share my story with you,” and he goes on to reminisce about some of his real-life challenges. Then, against a flurry of crashing symbols, he belts out a raspy testimonial of God’s faithfulness.
“I’ve had writing credit on a couple of songs in the past, but this is the first time I really focused and wrote a song,” says Cortez who collaborated with Grammy® Award nominated singer/songwriter, James Fortune, on the tune which will appear on his highly-anticipated sophomore album, “Soul of a Man” (Black Smoke Music Worldwide) in the fall.
“I’ve been through a lot of things that tortured my soul, but God has brought me through it all,” Cortez says, “I’m now at a place where I’m letting my experience come through my music.”
The Houston, TX native has appeared on recordings with Kirk Franklin and Lalah Hathaway, among others.
“Zacardi is the best singer in America today,” says Black Smoke Music Worldwide CEO, Kerry Douglas. “I’ve been working with him for over a decade now and have witnessed incredible maturity.
“I’m very proud of his growth as a young man and as a seasoned vocalist. In spite of all of his big hits, I think his current work is the best yet. I can’t wait for the world to hear Zacardi’s ‘Soul of a Man’ album we’re preparing.”
For more information, visit mrkerrydouglas.com.