| Every once in while an artist appears with raw talent and limitless potential. Enter PZ, the Berkeley, CA-based emcee who's debut record, "2Blessed 2BStressed", is a testament to quality Hip-Hop. PZ's sound isn't gangster, hyphy or backpack rap, but a rare combination of soulful, lyrically driven hip-hop, over bangin bass-driven beats. "This album is a product of my numerous influences," explains PZ, "I've always liked all types of hip-hop and my style reflects that." | | 2Blessed 2BStressed embodies those divergent influences. It features energizing tracks to bob your head to, like on the club banger "Uptown Downtown" with Mistah Fab, to smooth beats to chill to on "Cali Daze." Other guest artists include Bay Area heavy-weights Zion I, San Quinn, The Jacka, Equipto and Mike Marshall along with several up and comers. | | PZ's song subjects are as divergent as his upbringing. He attended 4 high schools and 4 colleges before graduation from UC Berkeley in his hometown. The tracks range from dealing with hatred from others, the cosmic battle, lust and heartache, politics, to performing live. On "I See, I Know," PZ trades verses with Zion I's Zumbi and Mike Marshall. In a refreshing approach to rhyming about male-female relationships, they attempt to put themselves in the position of a woman. "I don't rap about things I haven't experienced or lived through," notes PZ and adds, "I think it makes my album real, and easy to relate to." | | As a 6'5" white kid of Italian-Dutch extraction, PZ was always known as the class clown. He was exposed early on to what would become his two passions: basketball and rap music. As to why he gravitated towards hip-hop, he can't explain beyond the fact that it was what drew him in. "I heard all kinds of music growing up," he says, "but hip-hop became a part of me." | | "I feel blessed to have been raised during the golden era of hip-hop," PZ explains of the album's title. "And, as I've gotten older, been through my own highs and lows, and put things in prospective, I realize that I really don't have anything to be stressed about. | | I'm surrounded by close family and friends and for that I am grateful. Music is a place to share my life experiences with others." | | PZ has ripped shows opening up for legends like De La Soul, Murs and Biz Markie. | | He is currently gearing up to tour and promote for his new release.
| | 2Blessed 2BStressed dropped October, 2008. |
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