MUSIC AUDITIONS
HIP HOP
MADRID, SPAIN
19-04-2025 18:29 GMT
ZtonedApe
Current Score: ★☆☆☆☆ ☆☆
"I want to get more fans. "
People also searched for: laptop, Mouse Outfit
Biography:
ZtonedApe - Artist Biography
I’m ZtonedApe, an independent artist blending jazzy boom-bap hip-hop and storytelling rap with trippy visuals, stock images, AI-generated visuals, and animated visuals. My journey with music and art has been a lifelong passion, evolving through different phases and influences, ultimately shaping my unique style today.
Early Life & Introduction to Music
I was born in Madrid but moved to Vienna at age 11, turning 12 on the car ride there. My love for music and art was already present, but it was in Vienna that it truly flourished. Discovering hip-hop felt like finding my soulmate—it has been a perfect, loyal relationship ever since.
At 12 or 13, I started freestyling and beatboxing in parks with friends, immersing myself in the culture. I attended the Vienna International School, where I not only learned English but also gained skills in music production, video and photo editing, and design technology. Having access to Mac computers and creative software fascinated me, and I quickly started producing beats, writing songs, and making my own videos.
Musical Influences
I grew up idolizing artists like Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., The Fugees, Smif-N-Wessun, DJ Premier, and A Tribe Called Quest. The 90s classic hip-hop vibe is what I fell in love with, and I strive to keep that aesthetic alive in my music. Artists like The Mouse Outfit also inspire me by bringing a fresh, jazzy touch while staying true to hip-hop’s roots.
Education & Artistic Growth
During school, I produced a lot of music and visual art, eventually graduating with an International Baccalaureate (IB), studying Design Technology and Visual Arts at a higher level. I took a gap year after graduating, working at a design firm where I further developed my skills in video and photo editing, as well as 3D printing.
Beyond music and art, I was always very involved in sports. I played basketball, soccer, rugby, and handball, excelling in athletics and receiving an above-excellence award in PE. I was even offered a spot on Austria’s U19 national rugby team. I’ve always been passionate about board sports too: skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, wakeskating, kitesurfing, and surfing had been part of my lifestyle.
University & Early Career Struggles
After my gap year, I moved to Leeds, UK, to study Product and Graphic Design at university. While I didn’t complete my degree, I learned DJing with friends and often played at house parties. Throughout this time, I kept making music and visual art, creating my first solo album entirely by myself—writing, producing, and performing. However, I quickly learned that making great music alone wasn’t enough; without proper promotion, it was difficult to reach listeners.
To support myself, I worked a variety of jobs—bartender, waiter, hotel receptionist, freelance graphic designer—while continuing to create music and art in my spare time. Traveling was another major passion, and I spent time in places like Thailand, Vietnam, and Mexico, always drawing inspiration from different cultures and sounds.
AI & The Evolution of My Music
A few years ago, I started an Instagram and YouTube channel mainly as a way to archive my work. I wanted a space where I could store and showcase my creations, even if only a few people saw them.
Now, thanks to AI, my music and videos have reached an entirely new level. I can produce songs that sound like a full rap group, similar to The Fugees or Cypress Hill, using different AI-generated MC voices. I no longer have to rely on samples or loops, making my work 100% original and copyright-free. AI has also allowed me to create animated music videos much more efficiently, achieving the hip-hop aesthetics I always envisioned.
Current Life & Future Goals
These days, I split my time between Madrid and a countryside house near Sigüenza. I work a regular job for six months to save money, then travel for six months, in both cases while making music and art. I used to be a big party animal in my school and university days, but now my focus is on creativity, healthy living, and positive energy. I eat vegetarian/vegan and strive to keep a positive message in my lyrics, something that wasn’t always the case before.
One project I’m currently working on is blending classic boom-bap hip-hop with different influences from around the world, such as reggae and cumbia, while still keeping the essence of jazzy, storytelling rap alive. At the same time, I continue working on my usual boom-bap hip-hop, including a music video about the history of cannabis.
My dream is to get signed by a label or connect with a manager who believes in my vision. I want my music and videos to reach as many listeners as possible, and ultimately, I aspire to make a living doing what I love—creating music and visual art while traveling the world.
With AI tools advancing every day, I know I’m just at the beginning of this journey. I’m excited to keep pushing my sound further and evolving my artistic vision, bringing hip-hop’s golden-era energy into the future in a way no one has before.
📺 Stoned Chronicles MUSICVIDEO: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOnseJ4xeik]
One of my latest music videos showcases the power of AI. I produced the track on Udio, designed the characters on Kapwing, and animated them in Pixverse—all within just a couple of days with minimal cost and effort. The process opened my eyes to the possibilities of AI-powered creativity, but I know that with more time, resources, and an audience to inspire me, I could push my sounds & visuals even further. This is just the beginning of what I can create.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ztonedape
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ztonedape
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/bamb15
Email: alejocarlosmunozybarra@gmail.com
Career Goals | Objectives:
get more fans, would be a dream to get signed by a label or find a manager
Music Education | Training | Qualifications:
Studied music in school, learned to play drums, piano and flute, also got tought simple music production techniques in school and later develop them on my own,I also DJ
Musical Instruments | Studio Equipment:
laptop, udio, mixcraft, abelton, 4 channel DJ controller, serato, turntables
Influences | Sounds Like:
Mouse Outfit, cypress hill, the fuguees, lil simz, B.I.G. SMALLs, mac miller,mick jenkins,eminem, snoop dogg, el chojin, kase-o, dobble V, greentea peng, gorillaz, asher roth
Live Performance History | Residencies | Touring Experience:
yes, not many, use to DJ at my bros pub years ago