Zion I & Grouch - "Heroes in the City of Dope"

I just want to lay something out there for ya'll who don't dig the hip-hop scene, and therefore aren't familiar with Zion I (DJ AmpLive + Zumbi) & the Grouch. Despite what the album cover may look like to you, these dudes don't lay fat beats with meaningless lyrics like so many of the lame rappers these days do. Just thought to clarify before you turn your anti-rap radar on if you have one. Don't take that too personally.

If you know me, you know I'm always up for a heated "hip-hop" vs. "rap" discussion. I think it's important to break down the popular (mis)conceptions that always seem to leave out the fact that subcategories, in fact, exist in this genre. I listen to anything that has substance, either instrumentally, lyrically, or preferably both. It doesn't matter what title people want to give it- if it's good, it's good. Anyway, I'll leave it at that.

Zion I & Grouch always make for good partners in crime. The trio are all Bay Area rappers and sometimes dabble in "Bay rap" or "hyphy" music. They manage to keep their style for sure, but you'll notice the "hyphy" influence in some of their tracks even though it's fairly subtle on this album.

AmpLive keeps the beats sweet and simple on this album. Grouch and Zumbi flow in styles different enough to keep things fresh, but similar enough to compliment each other. Some tracks feature just one of the two MCs, while others have alternating verses with Grouch and Zumbi layin' it down.

My favorite track on this album, "Trigger", has some serious bass to it. I just can't seem to get the song out of my head. This is definitely a track you want to BUMP on a nice stereo system. The hook (chorus, for those of you who don't know the lingo) is tight and is different than any other song I've heard from Zion I & Grouch. I'm not usually one to play songs more than twice a day, but I've listened to this song at least 6 times today and would love to listen to it again.

I'm sure that seeing some of these tracks performed live probably contributes to my appreciation for the album. If you dig this stuff after taking a listen, make sure to check out Zion I and Grouch separately, since this is really just a collaborative album. Grouch has several solo albums, and is also a member of the Living Legends...another dope hip-hop group.

My vote: 3.5 stars
My favorite track: "Trigger" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHAxAQESeVw