Today we’d like to introduce you to Paris Larkin
Hi Paris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
“Big Fish, in a Big Pond- March 11th was day a great was born..”
Music was in me before I knew who I was. My family has a rich background in music being that my mother was a fore-runner in Cincinnati in the 80’s for gospel music. She trained me and my brother Rocky Marz in the same way. She got her start at SCPA and i couldn’t wait to follow in her foot steps as a graduate of SCPA as well. 2011 I graduated with a vocal diploma and a minor in Dance. getting across the stage with my class was an up-heel battle all in itself because i was a mother before i reached 10th grade. But i never lost sight of my dream and being a mother pushed me to work harder for my son. Regardless of me having a kid i always found myself creating and pursuing the arts. i worked for artworks mural works for three summers being able to put my thumbprint on my city at a young age with murals such as “the Faces of the Arts” (located in the CBD of Cincinnati), “Tarbell Tips His Hat” (Located on Central PKWY and Vine), “Pride in the Ville” (Located in Cumminsville) and “Daybreak in O’Bryonville” (located in O’Bryonville).
with my family growing I started to move away from doing music and art all together. i had to pay the bills but prior to my mom passing, she would always call on me to sing BGVs for her when she was still going places to sing. My mother started Working on her live album and i was back in the studio and writing again. I had also started working with NaQuia Chante doing BGVs around the time when she was doing Gospel. Before my mother passed she implored me to never stop music– never stop creating.
April 2020 I released my first solo project as “Paris Alvaughn Imani Zellars” i was doing gospel… and i was not content. Of course i was happy people were listening and i was finally being recognized on my own as an artist aside from my mother or my brother– but i didn’t want the box that came with Gospel music. i Left religion first, then my Marriage, and then Gospel… My whole persective had started to change as well as my image and my Ex Husband was not with the spirituality shit lol. I moved Back to Cincinnati at the end of 2020 from Georgia and hit the ground running. I changed my name from “Paris Alvaughn Imani Zellars” to ” PwiththeDrip”
maybe 2 weeks after me being Home, at this time Homeless with FIVE kids, I saw NaQuia Chante at a stoplight and it was literally up from there! My big Homie, My Guardian Angel. I remember her saying “I been looking for you!” with her big ass smile. She had me in the studio that night! She and I ended up going on to release a few singles, went on a 6 city tour, and drop a mixtape along with C-Weez (Long live Cj “C-Weez” Collins) who was a genius at creating the perfect sound for her and I.
and now we’re here! 2025– five years being on the music scene here in the city, all gas– no breaks. over 10 Releses on major platforms, hella stages touched and and Cypher win under the belt. I just Released my first EP “trap Hippie” that really gives you glimpse of who I am as an Artist. Trap because of my environment and growing up in poverty we all touch the trap in some way, and Hippie ’cause I’m Inspiring my people to rise above the Trap and be majickal. I tried to give real bars and lyricism, with creative Topics and Titles and of course Art! Before C-Weez passed, we worked hand in hand to create this project so it had to be the fore-runner for all of my projects to come. It was my way of still continuing his legacy in this music shit and making sure that I tip my hat to him for the work and energy he gave to me as an artist and believing in my talent as well. His energy was contagious and without it, i would not still be going. Nothing comes without perseverance and dedication, especially when you keep true to who are and your core beliefs and that’s what i want to convey every time I’m in an environment of influence. Through my Art and my words… The Drip is IN ME and ON ME
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
troubled teen/ teen mom
growing up queer in a religious home
single parent home/ Poverty
criminal background
death of my grandmother and mother 3 years apart before 22
failed marriage/ abusive relationship
homlessness
being shot 2021
hold ups with deadlines
baby number 6 right after the tour
fall outs with other local artist in the city
local gatekeeping
being blackballed for not having a ” more feminine image”
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
IMANIworks or “Faithworks” is the umbrella that houses all of my creative endeavors. From My Visual arts, To the music and publishing and even my hair styling. Created in 2017, IMANIworks has been a work of faith and manifestation every step of the way
How do you think about happiness?
My Children First. My Girlfriend, being able to live my dreams everyday. Creating and lastly, inspiring others to create
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pwiththedrip/profilecard
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067484902352
