Rap-Up.com || Unique: Long Hair, Don’t Care

Life for a young, burgeoning artist is all about the hustle. Luckily for R&B singer Unique, he’s made working his way to the top a high priority.

At 19, the Brooklyn-born entertainer’s résumé reads like that of a seasoned vet. He’s co-written songs with singer-songwriter Claude Kelly (Leona Lewis, Akon), produced with Eric Hudson (Kanye West, John Legend), and opened for acts such as Chris Brown, T.I., and Ciara. So how is the long-haired crooner dealing with his rise to fame? “When it first happened I was still kind of numb,” Unique admits. “Before the deal, I was already in the mindset that I had a deal. There were concerts, there were fans, and everything already, so having a deal just kind of made it all come together.”

Before signing Def Jam’s dotted line, Unique was marketing himself virally through outlets like MySpace and YouTube, and performing in every venue possible. “That’s been my grind since day one,” the singer reveals. “From being in school to performing at churches and community centers to talent shows, getting involved and showing up at block parties like, ‘Hey can I sing?’”

Though people ask him to perform these days, there was a time when he wasn’t welcomed on the stage with open arms. A former contestant on “Showtime at the Apollo,” Unique was booed off and carried away by the infamous Sandman. “He stomped me off stage and my mother is like, ‘You alright?’ The cameras are just right in your face [asking] how you feel,” he recollects. “I really wanted to break down, but I told them I’ll be back.” True to his word, last month, the Def Jam signee returned to the Apollo as the opening act for Day26 and Bow Wow, rocking the venue with his new single “Beat of My Drum.” Listen below.

–Tashal Brown

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53 Comments

Facebook User
July 21st, 2009 at 3:35 am
He got some type of MJJ swag…

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Blind Mary
July 21st, 2009 at 4:45 am
How U Doin!

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Tyesha
July 21st, 2009 at 6:38 am
Oh Wow Unique is the best..
Very humble & very Very talented..
Love ‘em 2 Def =D..

~Esha

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Sadia
July 21st, 2009 at 7:14 am
Hes such a talented artist !
I hope a lot of ppl take notice to
him. The music game needs a change !

- Sadia

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Tynisha
July 21st, 2009 at 7:54 am
he’s friends with Toyko Kid (check her out on Myspace, youtube), she a female rapper, he cute..but I’ve been hearing about him for years.

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4real
July 21st, 2009 at 7:55 am
wack

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Jetayia
July 21st, 2009 at 8:29 am
Unique is deffinitely THEE most sweetest & humblest artist that i kno; he makes each & every1 of us feel like friends & fam rather than just fans! thats why i support him as much as i do. the talent is deff there’ his music is the truth!

He is NOT sum1 to sleep on; do that & u might just find urself on the backburner watchinq him tear up the stage in ur spot! lol =)

Check Him Out on myspace;youtube;and twitter:
http://www.myspace.com/uniquestarpower
http://www.youtube.com/uniquestarpower
http://www.twitter.com/UniqueZayas

-Jetayia

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jessefbaby
July 21st, 2009 at 9:06 am
to j hoildayish… sound alike… but eye lik the song tho

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OooSsoooWaaaveyy
July 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Listen, i’ve seen this dude perform live. Aint a ounce of talent there. Idk how he broke into the business, but he needs to sit down somewhere

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tyrone
July 21st, 2009 at 10:24 am
This dude right here is the truth for real tho!! Dont sleep on him i kno he bout to take over the game! Nigga stright outta b.k.

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Kreshia
July 21st, 2009 at 10:33 am
Blind Mary aint so blind afterall! Lmbo He’s prolly working reeeal hard on covering that up but he’s cool

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Ebz
July 21st, 2009 at 10:36 am
Unique is the truth people need to stop sleepin on him and give him a chance. If Berry Gordy didn’t give The JacksonsD a chance…we would never have had MJ so haters fall back

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Sadia
July 21st, 2009 at 10:47 am
So Wavey Idk what performance you were looking at but you might wanna qet ya eyes checked cuz Unique ALWAYS shuts it down ! Crowd may not know him when he comes out but they always rockin wit him by the end !

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Jetayia
July 21st, 2009 at 10:47 am
@OooSsoooWaaaveyy u need 2 qo sit ya OooSsoooWaaaveyy ass down somewhere! ppl like u kill me; talk a whole lot of shit & cant do half of the things he’s done

hatinq is over-rated find ya life!

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Dee
July 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am
haters r motivaters ; keep it qoin!

unique is dope ; dnt be surprised if he blows up riqht before your eyes. =)

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Tyesha
July 21st, 2009 at 11:16 am
Sadia & Jetayia plezz dnt argue wit them its not worth ya time… all they want is just a lil attention..Crazy Haterz….Soo if u like Real music And Real Talent Check Unique OUt =D

~Esha~

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Petra
July 21st, 2009 at 11:19 am
Im Jus Laughin At How Ppl Sayin He Wack. When They The Ones That Dont Have Talent. Unique Is The Shit. If You Dont Like Him Why Bother Taking The Time To Listen To His Music. And The Post A Comment. Seems Like You Have No Life …OooSsoooWaaaveyy..Anyways Unique Is Gonna Blow Up There Year..

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Petra
July 21st, 2009 at 11:19 am
*This Year

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Sophiane
July 21st, 2009 at 11:56 am
yes! definitely, he’s got something of MJ, maybe the hair and the jacket in the video ;)

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UrbanNoize
July 21st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Michael is TOUGH act to follow. He may resemble Michael in his physical apearence, but thats not enough too be considered the next Michael. Michael is the GREATEST PERFORMER OF ALL TIME. Unique has a whole lot to prove if hes trying to fill into Michael’s shoes.

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Doraaaaa
July 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I believe Unique is probably one of the realest talented duded I have ever known. All about the positivity and evryone is entitled to their opinions but ohsowavveyy yu need to go sit that ass down ! Lemme see your record deal ! Exactly, i didnt think so…No one is telling you to like Unique but you clearly need to respect him…Until you get your record deal and an album then i suggest you to take notes !

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ChrissyKakes
July 21st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I agree with UrbanNoize! But this dude is talented and he looks really good! I don’t know him like that but I hope he succeeds! He looks serious about his business and his main fans are very dedicated to him! I know cause this isn’t the first sight i seen him featured on and if you look at the comments his fans DO GO HARD !

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Kimmy
July 21st, 2009 at 12:49 pm
He’s cute

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Sicly
July 21st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I was gonna address what that Sowavy person, but it looks like everyone else did. lol but anywho. Unique is Ultra talented, and he keeps everything 100% real with his fans. What’s not to love about him. He’s gonna blow up, just give it a little more time :)

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ugh
July 21st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
i like his voice but its very similar to other r&b kids on the come up(not so unique). but his resume intrigues me.THE HAIR NEEDS TO GO! seriously that aint cute.

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mebaby
July 21st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
the kid’s def got talent…. and na i don’t think he’s TRYING to be anything but himself…I’m sure with the years he’s been putting in work he’s figured that out…be easy…perfect ur craft and if u dont like him be prepared to switch the channel….every channel…

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diva
July 21st, 2009 at 5:05 pm
BUCKLE UP!!WORLD THE STORM IS COMIN NUFF SAID..THIS BOY HAS BEEN WORKIN HARD FOR SO LONG AND LET ME TELL U THE WORLD WILL SOON B SINGING HIS NAME,….HIS RESUME IS ENDLESS N HIS TALENT IS A GIFT FROM GOD…TO B HONEST HIS WHOLE FUTURE IS ALL IS GOD HANDS AND HE HAS A PLAN FOR HIM THAT IS BIGGER THAN THE GLOBE. ……

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toofly
July 21st, 2009 at 5:10 pm
hate, smake, he’s great.. he is the storm that music has been afraid of!!he is unique and hes about to set the tone of the music industry..u ready?

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Bianca
July 21st, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I’m so glad true talent is finally getting represented and recognized in a world full of musical clones we have finally found an original, it’s nice to see someone around my age make good music without making a dance song! Go Unique, and to those who saying that he isn’t different or “just like everyone else” ya’ll are haters, he is unique wait til you hear him sing in person.

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Bianca
July 21st, 2009 at 5:54 pm
oh and i agree he really is sweet and humble, he represents everyone who is trying to make a way for themselves. THANKS RAP UP!

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Leeza
July 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Unique Zayas is is krazy talented and a sweetheart. With his own personal style that is diff. which is exactly what the music industry needs

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sexiikiim09
July 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
dont kno who he is but he cute tho.

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Ryann
July 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
hes a great artist that will go far !

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TASHA
July 21st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
YEA HE MADD SEXY AND LOOKS LIKE A YOUNG M.J. FOR SURE!! HE CAN SING HIS BEHIND OFF CANT WAIT TO MEET HIM! HES WIT DEFJAM TOO THATS HOTT…COME TO V.A. PLZ!

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JULIAN
July 21st, 2009 at 11:18 pm
SEND MY LOVE ALL THE WAY FROM GERMANY! HE MAKES GREAT MUSIC FOR THE WORLD…CANT WAIT FOR AN ALBUM!! MY GIRLFRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT HIM 2 YRS AGO! CONGRATZ MAN

MYSPACE.COM/UNIQUESTARPOWER

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SARAH
July 21st, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING UNIQUES MUSIC FOR THE PAST YEAR AND IM SITLL GONNA REP HIM. HE HAS A DIFFERENT SOUND THAT I HAVENT HEARD IN A WHILE THAT R&B’S BEEN MISSING. HE’S ALSO SWEET AND HUMBLE, NOT TO MENTION FINE (IM JUST SAYING ROFL)AND YOU DONT FIND THAT WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE NOW. SO SUPPORT HIM YALL AND KEEP SUPPORTING HIM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN.

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OmgitsenicOle
July 21st, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Ibeen fuckin with Unique sense O7 and everysong I’ve heard I liked. Thhis dude needs his own cover..fast! His got talent and the world should kno about em

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Chriszy_B
July 21st, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I swear Nique is the best! he loves music and his fans! :) I cant wait to met him, ogosh; shxt keeps gettin postponed. Jet already met him and we saw how he is; he is a sweetheart and a big kid thats bout his business! he gonnah do it big and yu already kno we [your fans] got yur back a 100% Unique keep doing ya thing! +& Twitter me like always lmfao :] Twitter.com/Chriszy_b

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shyann
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:04 am
Unique isz the best
I knew him since day one
Since he was in boys and girls singing
He can really sing
I swear..ima fan 4life..never gonna stop being one
He’s needs a album..I really want 2 by it

I love thisz boyyy

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kaydulce
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:03 am
I’ve met him in person and he is so talented and so sweet. I believe that he will go far, and it’s nice to see someone with VOCALS coming out on the scene. Best of luck Unique!

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artsy slut
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 am
first lemme jus say haters is wat got unique to where he is now …it gave him tha energy 2 wanna grind …this dude has been grinding since high school …im from his home town so i kno alot about him ..he very talented..how many people @ 20 can say i have my own label …how many people r truly talented in the game jus a hand full so tha music industry needs someone like unique ..n trust me they got him n when he takes center stage all imma say is that alot of artist better grind harder ..cuz unique is coming believe it or not jus sit back n watch ….request “beat of your drum” @ ur local radio stations NOW!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/uniquestarpower
http://www.twitter.com/uniquezayas

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ms.unique
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
rap up yall should talk about Unique more… hes sooo talented and he makes goood music! yes im his wifey soo all those haters can fall back,,, by the way i love the picture and video yall posted of my boo!! i love yall rap-up and of course UNIQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUE!!

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JAMEL
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
ON SOME REAL SH*T! THIS DUDE LOOK LIKE A YOUNG M.J. HIS MUSIC IS TUFF TOO.. I MEAN HE REPPIN B.K. IM SURE HE GOT MADD HUNNIES TOO!LOL IMMA SUPPORT 4SURE

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Ginelli
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
ytou look sooooo good on that pic

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Ginelli
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
you*

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JIM Bo
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
He a cool dude can’t front about dhat he def. on his grind and I respect him for dhat. Good Luck Bruh!

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UserQQQQ
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
i hope he’s a cool dude cause he /looks/ like a joke.

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Chris Hines
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
My homegirl Melanie (the dopest stylist in yo area!) goes hard for Unique . . . I see why. Here’s a humble dude right here workin to make a difference with his music. Much success in the future.

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Rah
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
LOL!! Why does it look like his fan club are the only ones posting. I’ve listened to three of his songs and still trying to figure out what is “unique” about him…vocals? no production? no style? maybe..hair? hell yeah I’m going to have to see something unique before I start calling him GREAT like his lil fans are.lol…this generation has no clue.

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fox queen
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:58 pm
this is my first time hearing about a unique but i heard thats his real name i like his sound and love the look id hit it…. its crazy how hes not even out yet and has so many haters he must be someone to follow and look out for … only time will tell i wonder if thats his hair lol

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infamouscorey
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
haha this that niggah that was booed off the apollo wow! crazy how shit work out he signed now. much respect bruh

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elizabeth
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
hes not trying to be MJ why cant he jus be UNIQUE.

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g3
July 24th, 2009 at 6:02 am
He’s koo feelin the song he resembles MJ mixed wit young steff IMO
Ill wait & see what he has 2 offer u got my support unique get that shit.

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