ZENITH
ONE on ONE with ZENITH
1.
Who is Zenith?
I was born Callan Grecia on the 9th of August 1991. I grew up in Resevoir Hills and the Westville Prison premises although recently the family has moved to the suburbs of Westville. Zenith aka Zen aka That Phat Kid aka Stupid Fresh (haha,hell naw,im joking) came about when I was in Grade 5 just rapping with my mates. I was actually Addikt back then (the shame..) but around grade 8 i changed it to Zenith. It means
the highest point in the sky or peace for Zen, so,it really just epitomised where i wanted to be and how i wanted to be. Thats really it, no hidden meanings or whatever you know?
2.About a while ago you dropped mix-tape “Music from the Colour Purple” and now you have also put out a track from your latest instalment “The Gray Scale”, these projects are obviously themed around colour, can you tell us more about that?
The colour thing has to do with me as an artist. See, im not just an artist musically. I've been drawing since two iv been told and the fascination never ended really. So, its an expression of me as a person. With regards to Music From The Colour Purple, Black Milk actually released instrumentals that he made from Prince's Purple Rain album. So,it was more "we need to get this project done" than "lets conceptualize",so we just decided on M.F.T.C.P. Also i got a purple fetish, haha, kicks, clothes, you name it, i got it in purple. It’s the colour of pride...haha, nuff said. Greyscale had a whole concept behind it though, it was an album so, I wasnt just going to do something without a thought process behind it. Its open to interpretation which is why its so broad? But the main idea is that people look at things with a black or white mindset. Theres always a fine line dividing an issue into two separate part seven though theres so much grey area that no one bothers to consider? Stupid but true. Who knows, maybe if you looked at the Grey you'd find a better solution you know?
3.In your track “ change “ you briefly tell a story of how you got into rap and how you transformed into an MC, can you briefly touch on that?
I started in grade 5. It wasnt really emceeing, but i was trying. I was actually a singer. Micheal Jackson,The Temptations, that was my music. But my friend Rishaad (Lunatik) got me into rap really. I think
it was Illmatic that hooked me, haha,i was like,10 bumping N.Y State ofMind on the down low because my parents would flip. I kept at it though, and got deeper in. I just always have shit to say, a story tot ell. Thats kinda why im where i am now. I wouldnt say fully fledged just yet though...il get there
4.In the same track you talk about you bumping ‘troublesome” by Pac and also some tracks by Eminem, would I be correct to assume that these artists have influenced you one way or another.
Most definately. I think any emcee nowadays who WASNT influenced by either Pac or Em is a liar, haha. They were both a major influence on the way i rap. They told stories and the imagery captivated me all the time. Its the level i aspire to reach
5.When you grab your pen and pad, what are the most important things that you aim to communicate through your music, and when you eventually put that mic down how would you like to be remembered?
Im an opinionated guy, haha,it gets me in trouble sometimes too because i wear my heart on my sleeve. But its what helps me write honestly i guess. I just tell stories. What you hear is what ive been through, what i AM going through. Im not here to amaze you with punchlines and wordplay. I can do it if you want, but its not me if it has no artistic merit. I paint pictures. If you don't relate somehow to me, you're not human. Im just an everyday guy spitting everyday problems and successes you know? Im here to remind you that we're all human and that though we all have the same problems, we can learn and
become wiser and stronger through them. Remember me,dont remember me,idont care much. But,you will:-)
6.Now getting into politics you also talk about most “rap on radio being bubble gum”, which artists would you consider being bubblegum?
Haha,this is a fun one. I think we all know bullshit from real shit. Bubblegum for me is music with no substance. No lyrical merit. No passion, and, whats frightening is so much of what we here on the radio is just that. That Tippy Toes shit, that On Fire shit? Its stupid. I mean maybe Maggz, Bongz and Da L.E.Z can write with cause and passion, but it doesnt come through in the music. Its worse than Souljaboy too because he did that shit first. I dont know though. I gave up hope with South Africa a long time ago. Overseas also has alot of Bullshit with that whole Soulja Boy,Gucci Mane,Hurricane Chris thing they got going on, but the dope ness is there. Its just not on radio or publicised enough. Even here. Hype was dope till Mizi took over. I dont even buy it now. Its full of contradictions too. Its like "The Source",haha,who's gonna make a "XXL" to show S.A you dont needBape,808's and swag to be dope?
7.What drives Zenith to be the authentic MC he is?
Life. I write for nobody but me and people I deem important enoughto write about
8.....
9.Music from the colour purple was recorded on Black Milk’s beats, how long did it take you to lace that project and why Black milk.
Honestly? 3 days. Lunatik downloaded the beats on Friday,i wrote on Friday and Saturday and laced the tracks on Saturday and Sunday. It was just for promotion. Its nothing im proud of really. I just wanted o get my name out you knows? And Black Milk is dope,haha,nuff said. He put up the beats for free, so i saw an oppurtunity...and hesdope...haha,ok ok you get it i know
10.Are there any other projects you’ve dropped, apart from the ones mentioned above.
Um...iv appeared on tapes i dont remember the names of...Sorry:-)
11.What should people expect from the Grey Scale? .
My life for a year condensed into bite sized portions over soulful beats. All tracks were produced by The Soul Academy (myself and Rishaad Khan or Lunatik). The tape is available at www.myspace.com/thesoulacademy although it never dropped or launched. Its more of an experiment...
12.Tell us more about the Young Mindz Crew. (am actually looking for who they are when they were formed, material and what the crew is all about etc).
The Youngmindz Crew started off as me, Rishaad and my other brah Rayner Singh. Then many people joined, haha,Wesley,Jix,Saagar. It just ended up being a collaborative effort in the end. It doesnt reallyexist anymore because keeping up with who was in and who wasnt just became too much
13. Which artists are you currently feeling at the moment?
My homie Skyzoo,Blu,my homie Co$$ (of Johnson & Johnson fame),Brother Ali, Evidence,Fashawn,Jay Electronica,Ryan Leslie,J-Dillaalways,Kev Brown,Elzhi,Method Man...yo theres a few,haha,but il stop there
14.Your flow is more laid back and nonchalant, who can you say are your main influences.
Probably Biggie,Elzhi,Blu and Saigon flow wise. Theyv probably hadthe most significant influence on the way i rhyme,but i think i soundlike me.
15.What is your version of a wack MC?
Anybody who lies when they spit. Your mother raised you better thanto lie,haha
16.Has there been a watershed moment for you as an artist?
Yeah,i used to be just punchline rap. I didnt worry to much aboutcontent you know? I guess after i got diagnosed with cancer (im in emission now though) i started writing about my experiences,so yeah,that was the turning point for me.
17.Do you think hip-hop artists should be more real or exaggerated fantasy raps make more interesting listening?
It would be boring if everyone rapped the same. Just sometimes its really over done. Leave the fantasy to Weezy,haha.
18.Moving forward where you like would to take Grey Scale and how has been the reception so far of the tracks you’ve put out? Do you feel you are under appreciated or you are happy with the reception.
Greyscale was actually a school project,so sales arnt too much of an issue. It also hasnt been launched officially so sales havnt been through the roof,but we havnt pushed it much at all. The reception of the tracks have been amazing though and im glad people enjoy the music. Now i know where to improve for the next tape though,so be prepared
19.Is Hip-hip alive right now and if not, when last did it feel alive to you?
I think it is. Just not on a commercial scale. Theres enough dopemusic on the net,its just T.V and Radio that play bullshit, so as long as i dont listen to either hip hop is alive and well.
20.Any last thoughts? (Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to understand Zenith on another level, we hope you will continue giving us that real hip-hop, you’ve been giving us...Word and God Bless.
Just keep it real yo. If you're making dope music keep at it. Allthe haters,keep hating,and all the fans,keep supporting. Word up to my homies Lunatik,Skyzoo,Co$$ Cashius King and Proph. Thanks for the oppurtunity,and keep on keeping on.Peace
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One On One with ZENITH
"..i used to be just punchline rap. I didnt worry to much aboutcontent you know? I guess after i got diagnosed with cancer (im in emission now though) i started writing about my experiences..."
