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Zach of Team Blackout We recently caught up with rapper Zach of Team Blackout for an exclusive interview. Check out what he has to say about his debut album, Hip-Hop's growth, his favorite rappers, and more!
For some of our readers who are unaware
of who you are, tell us about yourself My name is Zach. I am 1/3 of the hip-hop group Team Blackout (JoJo Simmon's group). We made several appearances on the MTV reality series Run's House. I'm from Queens, NY and I am releasing my first solo album I'M ME. So Zach when you first started rapping, before anyone really knew who you were, what was the reception?Well, at first everyone was kind of shocked that I rapped being that I was very quiet and shy. But they would be even more surprised by the fact that I could actually rap well. It took people a little while to come to grips with the idea of me rapping but eventually I started winning them over. Listening to you, it seems like you've adopted the whole New York accent and vernacular and swag (LL Cool J-like); you've got that whole vibe going. How instrumental has new york hip/hop been in helping you to develop your craft especially in a time where southern hip-hop is whats popping?Well first off-that's a really huge compliment to be compared in the same breath of any artist the caliber of LL Cool J. He's a fellow Queens native and hometown hero so that means a lot. But New York as a whole has definitely had a major influence on me as an artist. Being born and raised in NY, I have grown up in the culture of the big city. A good majority of the rappers that I listened to growing up were from NY so I think as a young kid they have inspired me to be the artist that I am today. Who are some rappers that you would compare yourself to?I wouldn't want to compare myself to anyone. I feel like I have my own sound and I take pride in creating my own sound. But I always looked up to rappers like Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West, Black Thought to name a few. Tell us about Team Blackout.. its origins etc.Team Blackout officially formed in '03 after the NYC Blackout. JoJo and I have known each other since we were in first grade so our friendship goes way back. We met Reggie during sophomore year of high school and we've been a team ever since. We eventually found our way onto Jojo's family's reality show Run's House, which is where we first gained international recognition. What ever happened to the debut album "Lights Out".
I believe people never really got a chance to get to know any of us as individuals. All they know about us is based on whatever they saw on Run's House. But there's a lot more to us. As a solo artist, I plan on giving the fans a better idea of who I am. My sound is different from what we recorded as Blackout. So I plan on giving the fans music that truly represents me. Hence the album title, I'M ME. What are your thoughts of Diggy Simmons' recent success and the talk that you guys(Team Blackout) will be better off without Jo-Jo.I am very proud of Diggy and what he's accomplished so far. I wish him much success. I heard the latest song he dropped 'Thinking Bout U' and its bananas. I don't pay much attention to what people say about us and JoJo. JoJo is a majr reason why Team Blackout is known today. If he had never approached me back in 8th grade about being in a group with him, Team Blackout would've never happened. Also, we each bring something different to the table. Along with his lyrics, JoJo brought swag to the group. Zach you are a lyrical dude. Do you feel this is missing from the game?Thanks a lot. Well a couple of years ago I would've said yes but I think now the game is gradually coming back to the importance of lyrics and saying something. There's a lot of artists out now who really have something to say. I just want to help contribute more good music. A lot of people have said that they feel that hip hop is a dying art. How do you feel about the state of hip hop right now, and what do you think could be done to regain music lovers' confidence? I think Hip-Hop is in a great place right now. There are many talented artists out now that are making great music. I feel like there is more of a balance in the game which is a good thing. The more good music that comes out the more confident the fans will be in the music. I think artists need to be honest in their music which will allow fans to really open up to them and appreciate their work more. Who are you currently feeling in Hip/Hop right now? Some of my favorite artists that are currently out now are Drake, Kanye West, Fabolous, Rick Ross, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, and Fat Joe. Whats next for you? What do you have in the works in terms of a studio album, and when do you expect to drop it? I will be releasing my first solo album I'M ME which I am very excited about. Hopefully, I will be able to release it in the next few months but I will be dropping a single in a few weeks so look out for that! Are you working on any guest appearances? If not, who would you want to collaborate with? Right now I don't have any big names that I am collaborating with. I really wanted to give a lot of myself on the album so fans can really feel a connection with me. I'm pretty much down to collaborate with any body that's making good music. I don't ever want to limit myself. For all of the people, fellow rappers, record labels and companies seeing you for the first time who will want to gain more information about you, tell them where they can go to see and read about some of your past, present and future projects?
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