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In a genre like Hip-hop where the up-and-coming generation is notorious for disrespecting the veterans of the game, it is refreshing to find a young Hip-hop artist who not only took the time to shout out the pioneers of Hip-hop but connects the genre to preceding eras of Black arts in America.
In “PIONEERS”, the latest release from The ZYG 808 we find this 17 year-old MC/musician/producer dropping such names as Kurtis Blow, Kidd Creole, and Grand Wizard Theodore in the songs intro and chorus alone. On February 16th, the young man celebrated the release of his single and music video online with a mini presentation on the roots of Hip-Hop, which is also part of his high school senior seminar project and premiered his song and music video. In his oral presentation on Facebook and Streamyard, that was attended by about 180 people, demonstrated the various Caribbean and African American cultural practices that came together at the formation and rise of Hip-Hop as a Bronx, NY-based folk art.
The ZYG 808 – “PIONEERS”
In the weeks preceding the release of the cut, The ZYG 808 gave us some insight to his production approach, including using his skills on real drops to rock the beat inspired by the Billy Squire country rock classic, “Big Beat” which provided the backbeat for numerous old school hip-hop routines.
The ZYG 808 Talks About “The Making of PIONEERS” Single & Music Video
Sadly, there might be something to the generation gap. The ZYG 808 and members of his team reached out to folks like Kurtis Blow, Busy Bee, DJ Disco Wiz, and others who he interacts with on social media. The only two who responded were Busy Bee and Rakim Allah. “Respect is a two way street. If this is how you are with the youth in the culture, why would you expect respect? For many of them, it’s kinda like being an absentee parent who suddenly shows up. All you can say to them is, thanks for what you did. Peace,” said the young Grammy nominated producer and rapper.
Last month, the talented young producer and rapper laced us with the bluntly presented “GLORY of HISTORY” where he considers the lack of true choice Black and Brown people ever get in presidential elections where the lesser of two evils is our only option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFA7UBcQ_uE
So far, the plan is to drop a song a month from his forthcoming mixtape, “Beat Lounge Notes” which will be followed by content from his next album, “Preface”. Bringing a blend of old school, new school, jazz, boom bap and little bit of trap beat, glazed with lyrics that shift with ease between scathing social commentary, positive cultural reflection, and humorous musings… sometimes all in the same song.
A prolific music maker in the vein of the late Prince, and making the most of the COVID lock down in 2020, and his apprenticeship as an audio engineer at Polyphonic Studios, The ZYG 808 has amassed quite a diverse collection of quality Hip-hop, elm, jazz, and world music. A senior in high school, he is completing his senior seminar project. The research portion relates (of course) to the music business and particularly “What makes a regional scene?” An he researched the rise of punk and hip-hop in early 1970s New York, the Grunge scene in Seattle, and the various styles of hip-hop that popped up in the different regions of the United States. “Beat Lounge Notes” is the creative part of his project.
Follow The ZYG 808 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @thezyg808 or visit his website http://thezyg808.com
Look out for his next release, “GYMNASTICS” coming soon.
Release ID: 88998172