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BOTW Vol 09: Zeale
Every Texan treasures the sentiment, and lives by the conviction, “Don’t mess with Texas!” We’ve all seen the t-shirts, bumper stickers, and decorative plates. And we’ve all heard that nervous voice inside tell us to ‘be ready for anything’ when near someone adorning this state’s slogan. It’s not a reaction we outsiders have because of hatred or ignorance. It’s because we’re well aware that you don’t mess with Texas, its people, or its traditions. It’s this self-assurance of who you are, pride in one’s heritage, and the unapologetic passion for what you do that makes Austin’s rising hip-hop star Zeale a true Texas treasure.
It’s been four years since Zeale, pronounced “Zee-Lee,” stepped onto freestyle rap’s world stage, making it to the finals of Scribblejam, the same venue that gave Eminem his first break. Since then he’s proven himself time and again by destroying the competition at such high-profile events as the 2007 World Rap Championship and the 2010 Redbull “Emsee.” It’s this “don’t mess with me” attitude and his ability to be always at the top of his game that has landed him on tour with the likes of KRS One, Talib Kweli, and even Jason Mraz.
Zeale is gearing up for an upcoming tour with AWOLNATION and Imagine Dragons, which begins in Philadelphia on September 8th. He was kind enough to take a few moments to answer a few questions for us, hook us up with some killer photos, and even provide a link to download his new EP ‘Wake Hell or Make Peace’ FREE here so that you can sing along with the songs when you catch Zeale on tour this fall!
9 Questions with Zeale
BEACON: First concert you attended?
Zeale: Boyz II MenBEACON: All time favorite album?
Zeale: “Blackstar” by Mos Def and Talib KweliBEACON: Favorite musician?
Zeale: BeckBEACON: Favorite restaurant?
Zeale: Hudson on the Bend or Rudy’s BBQBEACON: All time favorite movie?
Zeale: I like to laugh, so AnchormanBEACON: Vinyl or MP3?
Zeale: Prefer vinyl but mostly MP3BEACON: Dylan or The Beatles?
Zeale: Dylan, that shit krayBEACON: Stevie Wonder or Bob Marley?
Zeale: Bob Marley for sureBEACON: Most bizarre location that you have written a song?
Zeale: In a hotel near Dubai full of Russian burlesque dancers
The Zealous Sounds of Zeale
Check out Zeale’s latest single, “Hope Dies” below. If you like what you see and hear be sure to download a FREE copy of his new EP ‘Wake Hell or Make Peace’ here!