Zion I and the Grouch
The Yin to Hyphy's Yang
2007-11-13
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Like everything else in life, a healthy balance is essential to the well being of hip-hop and its adherents. In Oakland, CA, there is no denying that hyphy is the pulse of the city, but in the tradition and history of the Bay Area’s diversity, it isn’t the only lifeline. Over the years Zion I (comprised of Zion and producer Amp Live) and the Grouch (of Living Legends fame) have carved out their own niche of “conscious,” artistically driven hip-hop, complimenting the Bay’s street music. After collaborating on a few songs throughout the years to overwhelming fanfare, talks of a full-length project ensued, thus the inception of Heroes in the City of Dope, the almost too good to be true alliance of two perennial underground entities. In just a few sessions the album was complete, with Amp supplying the beats and Zion and Grouch splitting vocal duties. When the three inclined minds go to work, good music gets made; it’s as simple as that. “There is a sincerity and truthfulness that comes through in the music and that is where our artistry connects,” claims Zion to affirming nods.
“We have different perspectives, but that’s the thing that links the music,” he finishes, acknowledging their chemistry. As a collective, they agree to disagree on some points, but share the belief that music is a tool to breathe insight and spark rational thought. It’s not a diss, but for that reason they are Heroes in the City of Dope.
On the cover, you’re all pictured in the hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil sequence. How does that pertain to the music?
Grouch: It’s like I don’t want hear no bullshit, see no bullshit, or talk about any bullshit.
Amp: I think the subject matter that we’re talking about has an underlining seriousness to it. It’s us being here and being products of Oakland, the city we’re in, and trying to do better but also continue to represent the music that comes from here.
It’s interesting because looking at the cover one doesn’t get the impression of a hero. If anything it looks as if you guys are trapped or confined.
Zion: That’s the city of dope. It’s not easy.
With that said, what does Heroes in the City of Dope mean to you as artists?
Zion: “The city of dope” is taken from a Too Short song, referring to how Oakland was so cracked out in the ‘80s. The heroes part, we’re just some regular dudes with some talent trying to bring some good shit to the table. We all have our base in Oakland; Grouch grew up here, Amp and I came here after college. We’ve been here for years, so it’s just propping up where we’re from but also trying to transcend that at the same time. It’s not all dope boyz, stunna shadez and grillz; that shit is cool, but I think there is more to life and we’re trying put that in there, but we’re not clowning or anything.
Grouch: We were kinda worried that the album title might be too pretentious or whatever, but I don’t think it is. I don’t think the cover comes off like we really think we’re above anybody as far as heroes go, but I do think the music is something that heroes can make a difference with in a time like this.
Coming from the Bay, more specifically Oakland, this album is very different from the current sound, but at the same time, Zion and Amp, you guys have embraced and been embraced by the hyphy crowd. Considering, how does it…
Zion: There are a couple verses on there though that…
Grouch: I’m dissing, but I’m not dissing. Going dumb is dumb to me, but it’s fun if you’re drunk and you just want to have some fun.
Amp: People have taken that and applied it to a way of living, when even the artists that made up those terms don’t do that all the time. You don’t want to go dumb as a living. Do it when you’re in the club or bugging out at the party.
Grouch: And leave that shit there.
Zion: I like the hyphy movement. It’s entertaining, and a new resurrection somehow of hip-hop music, but saying go dumb…I don’t want to talk shit…
Grouch: Yeah, I don’t want to talk shit either, but it’s not talking shit.
Zion: I heard people say, “Go smart,” and to me, that sounded just as dumb as “go dumb,” but I understand the concern when people say they’re telling these kids to thizz out or whatever. It’s like escapism, like you just want to bug the fuck out and get as dumb as you can as a result of the pressure or pain in your life. That’s cool, I guess, that’s one way to react, but that’s not the only way or most productive way to react in life. There are other things you can do.
As musicians, do you approach your art with a sense of responsibility?
Zion: We all have different thoughts; you have good feelings and bad feelings, positive and negative thoughts. I think when making music, it depends on what kind of person you are. Me, I don’t want to get on the mic and expose every demon that I have because it will probably incite the demon in someone else. I’d rather put my demon here and analyze it and be like this is what I’m going to do.
Grouch: I regret some of the music I’ve made, like all the music I made was true to myself every time when I was making it, but sometimes I go back and reflect and think I wouldn’t say that again. Certain things I’ve said, I have to go back and check myself, like I said this and it’s real positive, but I’m not really living like that right now. I try not to be a hypocrite in my music.
Amp: I feel like what we do is entertainment when it comes down to it. If you put your personal stuff in that realm, that’s the risk that you take; people are either gonna take it personal or they’re going to laugh at you. You’re putting your soul out there in a way. We need to be ourselves, and I think it’s important to do what you feel and accept what happens because of it.
“We have different perspectives, but that’s the thing that links the music,” he finishes, acknowledging their chemistry. As a collective, they agree to disagree on some points, but share the belief that music is a tool to breathe insight and spark rational thought. It’s not a diss, but for that reason they are Heroes in the City of Dope.
On the cover, you’re all pictured in the hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil sequence. How does that pertain to the music?
Grouch: It’s like I don’t want hear no bullshit, see no bullshit, or talk about any bullshit.
Amp: I think the subject matter that we’re talking about has an underlining seriousness to it. It’s us being here and being products of Oakland, the city we’re in, and trying to do better but also continue to represent the music that comes from here.
It’s interesting because looking at the cover one doesn’t get the impression of a hero. If anything it looks as if you guys are trapped or confined.
Zion: That’s the city of dope. It’s not easy.
With that said, what does Heroes in the City of Dope mean to you as artists?
Zion: “The city of dope” is taken from a Too Short song, referring to how Oakland was so cracked out in the ‘80s. The heroes part, we’re just some regular dudes with some talent trying to bring some good shit to the table. We all have our base in Oakland; Grouch grew up here, Amp and I came here after college. We’ve been here for years, so it’s just propping up where we’re from but also trying to transcend that at the same time. It’s not all dope boyz, stunna shadez and grillz; that shit is cool, but I think there is more to life and we’re trying put that in there, but we’re not clowning or anything.
Grouch: We were kinda worried that the album title might be too pretentious or whatever, but I don’t think it is. I don’t think the cover comes off like we really think we’re above anybody as far as heroes go, but I do think the music is something that heroes can make a difference with in a time like this.
Coming from the Bay, more specifically Oakland, this album is very different from the current sound, but at the same time, Zion and Amp, you guys have embraced and been embraced by the hyphy crowd. Considering, how does it…
Zion: There are a couple verses on there though that…
Grouch: I’m dissing, but I’m not dissing. Going dumb is dumb to me, but it’s fun if you’re drunk and you just want to have some fun.
Amp: People have taken that and applied it to a way of living, when even the artists that made up those terms don’t do that all the time. You don’t want to go dumb as a living. Do it when you’re in the club or bugging out at the party.
Grouch: And leave that shit there.
Zion: I like the hyphy movement. It’s entertaining, and a new resurrection somehow of hip-hop music, but saying go dumb…I don’t want to talk shit…
Grouch: Yeah, I don’t want to talk shit either, but it’s not talking shit.
Zion: I heard people say, “Go smart,” and to me, that sounded just as dumb as “go dumb,” but I understand the concern when people say they’re telling these kids to thizz out or whatever. It’s like escapism, like you just want to bug the fuck out and get as dumb as you can as a result of the pressure or pain in your life. That’s cool, I guess, that’s one way to react, but that’s not the only way or most productive way to react in life. There are other things you can do.
As musicians, do you approach your art with a sense of responsibility?
Zion: We all have different thoughts; you have good feelings and bad feelings, positive and negative thoughts. I think when making music, it depends on what kind of person you are. Me, I don’t want to get on the mic and expose every demon that I have because it will probably incite the demon in someone else. I’d rather put my demon here and analyze it and be like this is what I’m going to do.
Grouch: I regret some of the music I’ve made, like all the music I made was true to myself every time when I was making it, but sometimes I go back and reflect and think I wouldn’t say that again. Certain things I’ve said, I have to go back and check myself, like I said this and it’s real positive, but I’m not really living like that right now. I try not to be a hypocrite in my music.
Amp: I feel like what we do is entertainment when it comes down to it. If you put your personal stuff in that realm, that’s the risk that you take; people are either gonna take it personal or they’re going to laugh at you. You’re putting your soul out there in a way. We need to be ourselves, and I think it’s important to do what you feel and accept what happens because of it.
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