His enthusiasm for music has never wavered but it was his access to some of the most famous artists that transformed Zane Lowe from a superfan into one of the world’s biggest DJs.
These days he is renowned for interviewing the likes of Kanye West, Lorde, Adele, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and Amy Shark, but even since his humble beginnings Lowe’s creative endeavours have demonstrated an understanding of music which run deeper than most.
For as long as the New Zealand-born presenter can remember, he was naturally pulled toward the melody and rhythm of music.
‘For me it just stuck. I would just go down to my parent’s record collection when I was super young and just rifle through the vinyl and just ask them ”put this one on” or ”put this one on”,’ Lowe told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I just remember that it was something I just got lost in.
Disc jockey and radio presenter Zane Lowe (pictured) was always destined for a career in music
![His ability to speak candidly with the world's top music artists has made him respected internationally by his guests and his audience (pictured: Kendrick Lamar)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3CCCC00000578-5135337-image-a-2_1512173285412.jpg)
His ability to speak candidly with the world’s top music artists has made him respected internationally by his guests and his audience (pictured: Kendrick Lamar)
![Lowe is renowned as a tastemaker within the industry who gives a voice to up and coming talent (pictured: Winston Surfshirt at Lowe's Beats 1 pop-up Sydney studio)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3CA9A00000578-5135337-image-a-23_1512173421668.jpg)
Lowe is renowned as a tastemaker within the industry who gives a voice to up and coming talent (pictured: Winston Surfshirt at Lowe’s Beats 1 pop-up Sydney studio)
‘When I was old enough to understand where that voice came from, where those words came from, where those melodies, that playing a performance came from – and it came from somewhere that was very driving and very deep – that’s when I realised, ”okay, this is more than just entertainment” – this is really a form – for some people, a deep form, of expression and for other people, its survival.’
Lowe would appreciate key moments where music could resonate with his family and friends, before analysing how it emotionally resonated with him.
‘It allowed me to feel things I didn’t know – that I wasn’t sure I could I feel without music.
‘It’s just kind of always been something that I’ve moved with in my life and I’ve always felt that this was my primary passion.’
His natural attachment with music saw Lowe make his own with rap group Urban Disturbance, before getting a taste of success with the two albums released as one third of the rule-defying Kiwi band Breaks Co-Op.
![Lowe's ability to pick talent as they emerge has placed him as a curator of trending music on Apple Music's Beats 1 Radio](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/05/46E3C7E200000578-5135337-image-a-46_1512192985879.jpg)
Lowe’s ability to pick talent as they emerge has placed him as a curator of trending music on Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio
![Through his interviews with talent such as Adele (pictured) he reveals the creation and ideas behind some of trending music's top tracks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/05/46E3CB3000000578-5135337-image-a-47_1512193098234.jpg)
Through his interviews with talent such as Adele (pictured) he reveals the creation and ideas behind some of trending music’s top tracks
With an ear for genuine artists who possess an authentic, creative flair he built his knack for on air presenting at music station Max TV throughout the mid 90s before taking on the world in 1997 and making the move to the UK.
Lowe relocating wasn’t as much as turning his back on his hometown as it was taking a risk to represent it.
‘It was never about ”getting out”, it was about, “let me see what’s out here.” I always felt like home was close and I always really appreciated that.’
With a wry smile Lowe reflected on a moment when ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ singer and local icon Neil Finn offered some advice for the big move.
‘I remember him saying to me, “So, you’re going to go travelling?” I said, “Yeah, yeah, I’m going to go to London and see what I can achieve.”
‘He said, “Cool, well, you know. I have no doubt it will work out for you in some respects but don’t be afraid because just remember, man, sometimes you have to leave home to come back.”
‘I always remember that. It really stuck with me because there were moments when I felt like, “Oh, this is not working” and ”I can’t break through” and ”I can’t get through,” I always felt like home was never too far away.’
![These days he is synonymous with interview Kanye West, Lorde, Adele, Bruno Mars, Chance the Rapper, Lady Gaga, Winston Surfshirt and Amy Shark (pictured: The Weeknd)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/05/46E3CCEB00000578-5135337-image-a-44_1512191104969.jpg)
These days he is synonymous with interview Kanye West, Lorde, Adele, Bruno Mars, Chance the Rapper, Lady Gaga, Winston Surfshirt and Amy Shark (pictured: The Weeknd)
![Lowe reveals that at the heart of his endeavours, he is really just a fan of music, wanting to get as close to the process as possible](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/04/46E3CCFC00000578-5135337-image-a-73_1512190189552.jpg)
Lowe reveals that at the heart of his endeavours, he is really just a fan of music, wanting to get as close to the process as possible
![in 1997, Lowe moved from New Zealand to the UK with a chance to represent where he came from](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3CB8800000578-5135337-image-a-14_1512173363877.jpg)
in 1997, Lowe moved from New Zealand to the UK with a chance to represent where he came from
With Finn’s advice on board, Lowe went from success to success but found no real necessity to return to New Zealand.
After stints at XFM and MTV, he went on to establish a vital role in his career at BBC’s Radio One where he stayed for 13 years, forming pivotal relationships with artists, growing an ever-expanding audience and maturing his taste.
He defines good music as songs ones from artists who possess longevity, express sincerity and, most importantly, encapsulate the art of moving a listener to feel something.
‘The beautiful thing about music is it can make you feel triumphant, it can make you feel sad, but you never feel alone.
‘I think that, even when we’re all at a place where we feel our most vulnerable, then there’s always somebody out there that can share an experience that can make you understand you’re not alone. That universal quality of art – art does that.
![Lowe is a supporter of emerging talent and was quick to use his platform to recognise fellow Kiwi and songstress Lorde (pictured: right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/05/46E3CAF000000578-5135337-image-a-45_1512191105028.jpg)
Lowe is a supporter of emerging talent and was quick to use his platform to recognise fellow Kiwi and songstress Lorde (pictured: right)
![The superstart radio presenter always appreciated key moments where music could resonate with his family and friends before analysing the impact a song had on him (pictured: Lowe and DJ Khaled)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3CB7500000578-5135337-image-a-13_1512173351353.jpg)
The superstart radio presenter always appreciated key moments where music could resonate with his family and friends before analysing the impact a song had on him (pictured: Lowe and DJ Khaled)
![Lowe is drawn to artists who possess longevity, express sincerity and, most importantly, encapsulate the art of moving a listener to feel something (pictured: Miley Cyrus and Zane Lowe)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3CCE700000578-5135337-image-a-4_1512173302630.jpg)
Lowe is drawn to artists who possess longevity, express sincerity and, most importantly, encapsulate the art of moving a listener to feel something (pictured: Miley Cyrus and Zane Lowe)
‘I think the real turning point for me was when I realised that to a certain degree, certain albums, certain songs – they had to be made. It wasn’t really a vanity thing. It wasn’t like a, ”I’m going to make it to be successful thing.” It was like, ‘This record has to be made”.’
His time at Radio 1 on the night slot cemented his enthusiasm for beats which worked, music with passion and artists with charisma.
Lowe’s upbeat approach kept him recognised within the industry but it continues to be his ability to maintain a truth which sticks to an artist’s craft and skill – as opposed to sideline celebrity gossip or intrusion into their personal lives – which earns him their respect.
!['The beautiful thing about music is it can make you feel triumphant, it can make you feel sad, but you never feel alone,' - Zane Lowe (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3C8EA00000578-5135337-image-a-24_1512173423852.jpg)
‘The beautiful thing about music is it can make you feel triumphant, it can make you feel sad, but you never feel alone,’ – Zane Lowe (pictured)
It just isn’t in him to take the dialogue away from the music, he says: ‘That’s just how I am.
‘As I’ve gotten older, I wanted to learn more about life and I wanted to be inspired in different ways… so, if I’m going to sit down and have a twenty, thirty-minute, hour long conversation with somebody, then I want to make sure that I can get inside the inspiration of that.
‘Then hopefully, that will spread and inspire other people but I’m still just the conduit for that inspiration.
‘It used to be just for information but now it’s kind of like trying to get to the inspiration and that can be through tragedy or difficulties, it could be triumph, it could be coming back or going away – there’s so many different ways that people can be inspired to make something.
![For as long as the New Zealand-born presenter can remember, he was naturally pulled toward the melody and rhythm of music (pictured: Zane Lowe and Gwen Stefani)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3CCC300000578-5135337-image-a-1_1512173283021.jpg)
For as long as the New Zealand-born presenter can remember, he was naturally pulled toward the melody and rhythm of music (pictured: Zane Lowe and Gwen Stefani)
‘I guess what I’m trying to do is just get to the gold. That’s what I really want, is just the gold.
‘I think that a lot of stuff that tends to permeate around the world and catch fire is tar. People go digging for the tar and they get the tar out of somebody and it’s, “Oh, the controversy, the controversy.”
‘I only just want the gold. I just want the stuff that shines and shines a really positive light and ultimately, even if it is difficult and it’s a conversation with somebody and they’re going through a tough time and they’ve chosen me or you or anybody else’s forum to share that, I just always want to feel like it’s coming back to that place of inspiration.”
Artist’s don’t forget that, and upon news breaking Lowe was moving on from Radio 1, the hashtagged ‘#ThanksZane’ as they rallied in support for his next venture.
Even a legend like Kanye West didn’t forget to show an appreciation.
![After moving to the UK, Lowe worked with XFM and MTV before being picked up by BBC Radio 1 and taking over the evening slot where he stayed for 13 years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/05/46E3CD0700000578-5135337-image-a-43_1512191104782.jpg)
After moving to the UK, Lowe worked with XFM and MTV before being picked up by BBC Radio 1 and taking over the evening slot where he stayed for 13 years
![Presented with a new beginning when that chapter closed, Lowe took on his role at Apple Music's Beats 1 radio, where he streams to an audience in all corners of the world (pictured: Lowe and Aussie hit-maker Amy Shark)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3C8AA00000578-5135337-image-a-20_1512173396101.jpg)
Presented with a new beginning when that chapter closed, Lowe took on his role at Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio, where he streams to an audience in all corners of the world (pictured: Lowe and Aussie hit-maker Amy Shark)
‘I remember the last time I interviewed Kanye West just before I left, and the news was out that I was leaving. We were off the record and he went, “so, of course, are you coming to LA?” I said, “yeah.” And he went, “excellent, man. Well, take no prisoners.”
‘I just thought, “wow, that’s really cool.” He just took the time to basically say don’t be intimidated, don’t be put off, don’t be sort of distracted. Just focus on what you’ve got to do and go for it, and I love that.’
It’s that artist-supported outlook that when it came time to advance to a new platform, an international music streaming service on Apple Music choose Lowe to curate Beats 1 radio – a hub of fresh talent, intriguing and thought-provoking interviews and expert driven content.
![Zane Lowe's contribution to media and influence has seen him soar as one of the music industry's most respected insiders](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/02/00/46E3C8A600000578-5135337-image-a-18_1512173388461.jpg)
Zane Lowe’s contribution to media and influence has seen him soar as one of the music industry’s most respected insiders
So why has Lowe been able to drive all of this success? How has he sustained a career in music that has propelled him onto a world stage, despite his humble beginnings? Simple. He understands the value in music and will work tirelessly to share that with others.
‘It’s more than just notes and beats and ideas. It’s something that people apply themselves one hundred percent to and it has value.
‘Even at a time when that value proposition changes and new distribution comes up and things change, the idea – the sentiment, the emotion, the feeling, the result is… for me at least, I mean, outside of my family and my friends, it’s the only thing that I really can say is the most valuable thing for me.’