Tucson, Arizona rapper Jaca Zulu and producer and fellow Tucson native B3NBI present Graine, their collaborative EP featuring Alyssa Sandoval. Graine is the second project curated by Tucson music imprint wearebugginout.com as part of their dy-ad series which pairs a producer with an emcee, the first beingGrunkles Gulch by Runt & Gunky Knuckles (listen/info). Jaca Zulu’s recent EPWaiting For Yesterday was premiered on DJBooth.net (listen/info), and B3NBI’s debut solo album was 2014’s Eyes To Dusk (listen/info). “This project is the seed of love and appreciation of life I wish to plant in myself and anyone else open to the message,” says Jaca. “I open my heart and mind with faith that it will inspire others to do the same.”
GTKTSW aka Get to Know the SouthWest – Johnny Redd & Jaca Zulu
Good day good day GOOD … DAY.
I have been thinking of allowing a certain day to be the main day I preview another interview or segment of GTKTSW or “Get to Know the SouthWest”. It’s either going to be Sunday or Monday. One of these days. I’m leaning more towards Sunday. Enough of that babble, that’s my issue.
Speaking … of the SouthWest, I bring you another episode of “Get to Know the SouthWest”, featuring two emcees who have been consistently working at perfecting not only a style, but a brand name understanding of them and their respective collectives. I present to you, all the way from the desert southwest out here in Tucson, AZ … Johnny Redd & Jaca Zulu.
JOHNNY REDD – EYES WIDE SHUT
[ Jaca FB ] [ Jaca Twitter ] [ Jaca Music ] [ Johnny Redd Music ] [ Johnny Redd FB ] [ Johnny Redd Twitter ]
Mr. Nicholas Nice
Get to Know the SouthWest – Jaca Zulu – Twelve Dollars (Prod. by 8OhEight) [Official Video]
Jaca Zulu is another artist out of the SouthWest who is poised for penmanship and tour dates. He is a representative of Starstruck Unlimited & Honor Roll Gang, two Hip-Hop collectives poising themselves for big things in the future. Jaca originally hailed from Sacramento, California and moved at a fairly young age to Tucson, AZ where he now calls home. Upon a first listen you would say that he has bars, which for the world outside of Hip-Hop means, he is very skilled with his tools. That being said, the further you listen, you grasp the different meanings and the transition of styles he uses. You begin to wonder how the gears of his mind work. You are compelled to listen further and further.
The man that provides the sub-sonic futuristic bass heavy boom bap is 8OhEight. This man has a definite love for Hip-Hop, as he is always creating concrete to surreal type soundscapes for the enjoyment of anyone with ears and a love for bass. Together these two help shape the face of the Tucson Hip-Hop scene while carving their own niche into the framework. A sound all their own. With the beats and lyricism, it won’t be a difficult task. Like you’ll see in this video, Jaca knows the formula. “Work, Work, Do Work Player”.
From my first introduction and still to this day, the bars are sharp and the beats are solid. Something to make you zone out or wild out. Either way, it’s going to rock your bottom.
Jaca has been working at his craft for a little over a decade. Like any true artist he will tell you he is always working on being better but regardless you can see the love he has for music as he spits. He likes to have fun with the crowd. He feeds off the energy and throws it right back properly to them. He also can invoke thought as he takes a more serious approach to songs.
In my opinion, there will be a lot more to see of these two friends. The artist and producer. Jaca Zulu & 8OhEight
Interesting Fact: Jaca got involved in rhyming by battling his good friend and producer 8OhEight. He would actually have to battle his producer AND he told me, that his producer has bars, so come sharp. Like, Laser.
Jaca’s most recent project, W.O.R.D. is available at bandcamp for FREE download. To get to the site click here
Later on, with Jaca again as the subject matter, I will reveal the song that introduced me to the group these gentlemen came from originally, “The Aces”. Upon watching it I thought to myself, if this was an indication of things to come, I’m confident in waiting for more.
[ Jaca Zulu FB ] [ Jaca Zulu Soundcloud ]
