Zion I & The Grouch
Heroes in the City of Dope
 At a time when the norm is one good track on any given album, Bay Area act Zion I and Living Legend’s front-man The Grouch have created something different: a record comprised of 15 varied, soul-drenched, equally impressive tracks. The latest effort from these two formidable hip-hop acts, Heroes in the City of Dope, will have heads hyphy, uplifted, and pondering social ills—all within one album.
Tracks like “Current Affairs” calls for heads to reject sensationalistic news and mind control by the mass media. “Trigger” tackles the issues of the Homeland Security Act and the diminishing rights of everyday citizens. But Zion I and The Grouch never stick a formula. Take “Hit Em,” featuring Bay Area Hyphy emcee Mistah F.A.B. Simple and bangin,’ the track demonstrates both these west coasts acts are too raw and versatile to be relegated to underground hip-hop.
“Our past collaborations—Silly Puddy and Flow—were always fan favorites,” explains emcee Zion of Zion I of why the two acts decided to collaborate, “and the creativity just flows when we get together in the studio.”
“We all share a strong connection with Oakland,” adds The Grouch of the title that he says is also a spin on the Too $hort track on the 1989 Life Is…LP ”A lot of beauty and hope has come out of the struggle here.”
Guests on the record includes emcee Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, soul and funk rocker Martin Luther, the multi-talented singer Esthero. Production on Heroes in the City is handled by Amp Live. Guest producers include Headnodic (Crown City Rockers), Eligh (Living Legends), and The Grouch.
Individually, Zion I and the Grouch both have notable track records. Zion I have released 3 critically acclaimed LPs, including Mind over Matter (1998), Deep Water Slang (2000), and True & Livin’ (2003) In addition to numerous EPs and mix tapes, Zion I was also featured on the Grammy –award winning group Linkin Park’s remix album, Reanimation. Zion I have been named Best Independent Album of the Year in 2001, 20002, 2003 and 2005 by The Source magazine. As a founding member of the original do–it –yourself rap crew, The Living Legends, The Grouch has been at the forefront of the west coast’s independent rap movement for over a decade. The Living Legends continue to amass a devoted following of fans and have sold over 300,000 albums world-wide. As an artist outside the Legends, The Grouch has released 7 solo projects and 5 collaborative efforts including albums such as Fuck the Dumb (2000), Crusader for Justice (2003) and No More Greener Grasses (2004).
With Heroes.., The Grouch and Zion I give fans an entire album of inspired tracks, proving again that they’re consummate artists and here to stay for the long hall. Heroes of the City of Dope drops October 24 on Om: Hip-Hop, Legendary Music, and Live Up Records. |
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Quotes
“Zion I and The Grouch come together to form an enlightened Voltron of sorts backed primarily by Amp’s superior and flexible production styles: bumping club tracks, hip-rock featuring Esthero and a little chop ‘n’ screw. This album satiates a lot of auditory cravings.” – URB
“This album proves that Zion I and The Grouch will continue to shine by delivering powerful messages and thought provoking subject matter through their diverse sound.” – The Source
“While these brothers are still operating on the low, their production and vocals are wound tighter than Bay Watch bathing suits…the whole thing is hot. Hot to death.” – MTV
“Keeping it transcendental, Oakland’s Zion I and The Grouch ride some sublimely breezy Fender Rhodes textures courtesy of producer Amp Live and drops some disarming populist rap philosophizing.” – Vibe
“Excellent album highlighted by Zion and The Grouch's deft street reports and Amp's soothing psyched -tinged textures and intrepid drum programming.” – Blender
“Producer Amp Live continues to expand the group’s sonic boundaries by adding live instrumentation to his mix, while MC Zion digs deeper into his lyrical knapsack.” – XXL
“The mellow vocals of Zion and The Grouch against the kinetic pace of the backbeat makes for a great contrast.” – Billboard |
Tour Dates
Wednesday Oct 4, 2006 / Sacramento, CA
@ Sac State / 7:00P
Thursday Oct 5 2006 / Santa Rosa, CA
@ The Last Day Saloon / 8:00P
Friday Oct 6 2006 / Whittier, CA
@ Whittier College / 8:00P
Saturday Oct 7 2006 / Indio, CA
@ La Estancia Special Events Grounds / 4:00P
Saturday Oct 7 2006 / Long Beach, CA
@ Vault 350 - Late Show / 11:00P
Tuesday Oct 10 2006 / San Francisco, CA
@ AMOEBA RECORDS IN STORE / 6:00P
Friday Oct 13 2006 / San Jose, CA
@ Britannia Arms / 8:00P
Saturday Oct 14 2006 / San Francisco, CA
@ Game Stop After Hours / 8:00P
Tuesday Oct 17 2006
/ Portland, OR
@ Doug Fir / 8:00P
Wednesday Oct 18 2006 /
Seattle, WA
@ Chop Suey / 8:00P
Thursday Oct 19 2006 / Vancouver, BC
@ The Plaza / 8:00P
Friday Oct 20 2006 / Bellingham, WA
@ Nightlight Lounge / 8:00P
Saturday Oct 21 2006 /
Missoula, MT
@ Other Side / 8:00P
Sunday Oct 22 2006 / Bozeman, MT
@ Zebra Cocktail Lounge / 8:00P
Wednesday Oct 25 2006 /
Salt Lake City, UT
@ Urban Lounge / 8:00P
Thursday Oct 26 2006 /
Ft. Collins, CO
@ Aggie Theater / 8:00P
Friday Oct 27 2006 / Colorado Springs, CO
@ The Black Sheep / 8:00P
Sunday Oct 29 2006 / Durango, CO
@ Abbey Theatre / 8:00P
Tuesday Oct 31 2006 / Denton, TX
@ Haileys / 8:00P
Wednesday Nov 1 2006 / Austin, TX
@ Emo's / 8:00P
Friday Nov 3 2006 / Albuquerque, NM
@ Sunshine Theatre / 8:00P
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