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By Konner Hines
Zadok Little doesn’t just make music; he lives it. His voice carries the weight of lived experience, yet relects the light of a man who’s found his purpose. Born and raised on Cleveland’s east side, Little is part of a new wave of artists transforming personal testimony into powerful sound.
“I grew up all across Cleveland,” Little said. “It shaped me. A lot of what I’ve been through, the good and the bad, is what inspired my music.”
For Little, Cleveland isn’t just a hometown, it’s a canvas. From neighborhoods near Harvard and Lee to East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights, every block added another note to the soundtrack of his life. It’s where he first heard the old-school funk his family loved, where hip-hop beats pulsed through the summers, and where rock riffs cracked open his curiosity.
“I caught a very distinct ear at a young age,” Little said. “I wasn’t just stuck to one genre. I got exposed to funk, hip hop, rock, jazz… it just felt good to me.”
The Moment the Music Found Him
By his freshman year at Cleveland Heights High School, Little was scribbling rhymes between classes and freestyling with friends. He studied the wordplay of Kanye West and Eminem, the energy of Lil Wayne, the grit of Linkin Park, and the spiritual depth of Lecrae.
“I had a rough background,” Little said. “Music was my outlet, my way of telling my story. As I got older, I found God. My music changed completely, and I believe it was for the better.”
The turning point wasn’t about fame or streaming numbers. It was about faith. Little’s personal journey led him to redefine not only his sound but his mission.
“I’m for the kingdom first,” Little said. “But I’m also just an artist who wants to inspire others and give glory to God.
A Mission in Every Lyric
One of Little’s favorite ways to describe his artistry comes from a message he wrote to himself, a sort of personal manifesto: “I’m bringing authentic, genuine, smooth, and energetic Christian hip hop to your ears. As an artist, I give it my best to glorify the gifts God gave me. I’ve been saved by the blood of Jesus in so many ways.
My goal is not to push my beliefs on anyone, but maybe open your eyes to the best life that God can give,” Little said.
His faith is evident, but so is his desire to connect. His music is equal parts testimony and invitation, a reminder that no matter where you come from, hope has a beat.
Strings, Beats, and a Game Called Guitar Hero
Little’s journey into music wasn’t just through headphones; it started with a game controller. As a kid, he spent hours playing Guitar Hero, tapping along to songs that made him feel alive.
“I was probably nine or ten,” Little said. “Playing that game inspired me to pick up a real guitar.”
Today, he owns two guitars and weaves their sound into his music, blending live instrumentation with his lyrical storytelling. It’s a sound that’s personal, textured, and uniquely his.
Lighting the Way Forward
What Zadok Little hopes listeners take from his music isn’t just rhythm, it’s reassurance.
“I just hope people can take away a message,” Little said. “Maybe it sparks something. Maybe it encourages someone to check on a friend, pray, or just be more loving. There’s a lot of darkness in the world, and I want to be a light.”
Little’s growing fan base spans streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, and Pandora. On Instagram (@zadoklives), he shares upcoming shows, merch, and glimpses into the faith-fueled journey behind the music.
Through every verse, every performance, every guitar chord, Zadok Little stands as proof that the most powerful stories don’t have to shout. They can grow inside you and become a deeper message to the world.
Exclusive: Little’s new single ‘Race’
“The title of the song is called ‘Race.’ The song is about just continuing to run my race of life at my own pace with trusting God and allowing him to help me in my heavy times of anxiety and worry. He’s already done so much for me.
The style of the song has a smooth soulful exciting sound. The song was inspired from my love of cars growing up. It’s not about coming in first place. It’s about running the race at the pace God has set for me,” said Little.
The single and music lyric video are out now onFacebook and YouTube, search for Zadok “Live”
Konner Hines is a member of the Honors Colleg,and a
Marketing and International Business student at Baldwin Wallace University.
