These days, there isn’t much that can shake Maleigh Zan’s sense of personhood—a coveted attribute in a time when getting lost in jeopardizing narratives is all too common. Raised in the southern cultural hub of Atlanta, Zan originates from a steadfast foundation cultivated by time spent with her close circle of friends and family, with her mother and twin sister being the most paramount influences. So, as the budding starlit ventured into the modeling arena by her mid-teens before more recently crossing over into the vast music sphere, Zan already possessed a genuine disposition and authentic air about her—two qualities a brand like New Balance appreciates and champions itself.

“The brand is not only associated with athletics but unrivaled style as well,” Zan shares. “Seeing how New Balance has touched culture in such a unique way is so inspiring. I remember saving my allowance to buy my first pair at the mall when I was younger, so now being able to collaborate with them is truly a dream.”

Today, we find the spirited songstress in the space where she feels most centered—the studio. A long-time fan of New Balance, Zan rocks a pair of classic NB 9060s while taking some much-needed personal time to hone her craft before a thrilling rendezvous across the city with friends. Curating a calm atmosphere, Zan keeps things light and playful while she creates, leaving plenty of space for organic inspiration to flow about. Tampering with tune and tempo, the ambitious artist makes sure that each one of her songs is immediately recognizable, eliciting joy and movement in every kind of listener.

At just 22 years old, Zan has already made her presence known thanks in large part to her slew of recently released singles. Showing flashes of hit-making potential, Zan’s initial offerings have successfully infiltrated our frenzied feeds while simultaneously setting a high standard for her musical tenure thus far—trust, this is only the beginning, though. With bouncy step beats and infectious lyrical runs, the nascent artist pulls influence from her root's roots in Southern house as well as the varied palette of pop-funk she grew up on. Through this alchemizing of sound a special blend is created, drawing the attention of everyone from energized partygoers to industry luminaries. I mean, she’s already secured remixes with legendary record producers just five months after release; who else is doing that this early on?

As the de facto life of the party, Zan’s goal is to get everyone up and moving. Of her defined sonic aesthetic, the breakbeat baroness posits, “Dance music is universal and contagious. So, I try to make songs that translate through all ages and genres in the same way. I want listeners to hear my work and literally not be able to stop themselves from moving.” And, as early evidence would suggest, everything is going according to plan.