Kara Zmatiq On the Making Of “Slay”
What was the creative process like for this particular single?
Oh honey, the creative process for “SLAY” was an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in glitter, fire, and a whole lot of sass! This song wasn’t just something I wanted to write—it was something I needed to write. Every lyric, every beat, every fierce vocal moment came straight from my lived experiences—from the moments I was told I wasn’t enough, to the times I picked myself up, dusted off the negativity, and slayed my way forward.
I started with the story—because let’s be real, “SLAY” isn’t just a song, it’s a battle cry. I sat down and thought about every time I had been underestimated, ridiculed, or told to tone myself down. And then I thought, screw that—let’s turn this into an anthem!
Musically, I wanted something that would hit like a high-heel stomp on a runway—powerful, commanding, and impossible to ignore. The moment you hear that first beat, you need to know that something legendary is about to happen. The melody had to be catchy, the energy had to be electric, and the vocals? Honey, they needed to serve POWER. So, I poured my heart into it, belted my truth, and “SLAY” was born.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for “Slay” to life?
Oh darling, I knew “SLAY” needed to sound like a statement, feel like an explosion, and leave an impact like a high-drama mic drop. So when it came to production and engineering, I wasn’t about to settle for anything less than perfection.
Enter Leon Zervos at Studios 301—a legend in the music industry who has worked with icons like Madonna, Pink, Lady Gaga, and INXS. I mean, HELLO?! If you want a track to be polished, powerful, and ready to take over the world, you call in the best.
Working with Leon was an experience in itself. I came in saying, “I want the vocals to hit like a queen snatching her crown back, the beat to feel like a strut down the fiercest runway, and the whole track to sound like pure empowerment.” And baby, he delivered. The mix is crisp, the energy is electrifying, and the mastering took it to a whole new level. Every note, every bass hit, every vocal run was refined to perfection—ready to make anyone listening feel unstoppable.
How do you feel “Slay” represents your artistic identity?
Honey, SLAY IS my artistic identity—it’s bold, defiant, full of attitude, and completely unapologetic.
From day one, I’ve never fit into a neat little box, and I never will. I am the box, the wrapping paper, and the fabulous bow on top! Drag, music, storytelling—they’re all part of who I am. I don’t just perform, I command the stage. I don’t just sing, I tell a story. And I don’t just exist—I SLAY.
The message of this song is everything I stand for—strength, resilience, and never letting anyone tell you that you’re too much or not enough. I want every person who hears this song to feel empowered. Whether you’re walking into work, strutting into a club, or hyping yourself up in the mirror, SLAY is there to remind you that you are fierce, brave, and unstoppable.
This isn’t just music—it’s a movement. And I’m here to lead it.
Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
Oh, ABSOLUTELY. There have been a few key moments, but one that stands out was the first time I truly felt seen as an artist.
For years, I was trying to find my place in a world that constantly told me to be someone else. The church, certain family members, so-called “friends”—they all had their opinions on who I should be. I was ridiculed, rejected, and made to feel like I had to hide the most authentic parts of myself just to be accepted. And honey, that nearly broke me.
But then I had a realization—I could either spend my life trying to fit into spaces that were never meant for me, or I could create my own. That’s when I fully embraced music and performance as my way of taking back my power. The first time I stepped on stage, microphone in hand, and belted out my truth, I knew—THIS is what I was meant to do.
That moment was the ultimate “watch me SLAY” moment. From that point on, I decided: I will never be anything less than my true, unapologetic self.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Oh, darling, inspiration is EVERYWHERE—in my past, my struggles, my triumphs, the drama, the shade, and the sheer fabulousness of life itself.
A lot of my songs come from my personal journey—overcoming adversity, battling addiction, facing rejection, and ultimately rising above it all. But I also draw inspiration from the energy of queer nightlife, the rawness of human emotions, and the unfiltered stories of the people I’ve met along the way.
Take “SLAY,” for example. That song was born from every time someone told me I wasn’t enough—whether it was the church, industry gatekeepers, or even fellow queens who tried to tear me down instead of lifting me up. I took all of that negativity and turned it into something powerful.
Sometimes inspiration hits when I’m walking down the street with my headphones on, living my best main character moment. Sometimes it comes from deep conversations with my closest friends, who remind me that resilience is the most beautiful thing we can own. And sometimes? It’s just a feeling—a moment of knowing that this needs to be a song, this needs to be a moment, this needs to be heard.
At the end of the day, my music is about strength, passion, and never apologizing for who you are. Whether it’s an anthem for empowerment, a story about heartbreak, or a reflection of the raw emotions we all feel, every song I write comes from a place of truth. And honey, truth is the most powerful thing we’ve got.
So get ready, because SLAY is just the beginning—there’s so much more to come. And trust me, it’s going to be LOUD, PROUD, and absolutely FABULOUS.
