Zest the smoker is a spawn of natural unrefined skill, a historical figure for a realm of independent musicians and idealists. He’s been a contribution to musical arts for nearly 21 years. Zest was born and raised in San Jose, Ca giving credit to the east bay as well for his places of residence. He has been a vigorous entity for abstract and subversive thinkers. To give you an idea of the mainstream majority of hip-hop in California during this time in Zest’s journey, Death Row records were the dominate force in the public eye. In my opinion an artist that surpasses the normality’s and transcend into their sole interests are matchless. Drawing influence for his projects from himself, or as he defines“the voices in his head”. It is apparent that he has an alternative perception, and an assorted creative thought that won’t be shaken.
Around the early nineties Zest helped create such independent and imperative groups like,” Positively Divine”, and later Zest combined with Dave Dub in 1991 to make “Disciple X-Trybe”. Zest also worked close with Peanut Butter Wolf, Zest’s track “My old Nasty Habit” appeared on, “Step On our Ego’s” (a vinyl release). Onward in the late nineties he teamed up with producer “Cough it Up”, to build “Camp Crystal Lake”. Camp Crystal Lake has accumulated involvement from many musicians over the years such as Barry Bones, Dave Dub, and others. The track “interruptions” was also released on the Stones Throw labels album, My Vinyl Weighs a ton. Throughout Zest the Smoker’s admirable saga, he has delivered an abnormal approach to what is known by some as the, “underground rap or hip hop scene”, his music would be better categorized under a genre less genre. Throughout his works he has experimented pushing his abilities to new boundaries. With his futuristic references and industrial machine sound he is a pleasurable oddity for the unconventional.
With Zest the Smoker’s most recently released album, “Death at …..27” he says that Death represents his alias nigalooh damon. The album was initially completed in 2002, and fortunately released in 2009. Extracting characteristics from his angry teenager days, Zest shares the truth of his youth and this Ep embodies his roots according to Zest from 1991 to current times. You also will want to keep an ear out for a possible upcoming tour in 2010. A Novelty you’ll surely want to have next to your specialty toys in your underwear drawer, Zest the Smokers album Death at…27. Proclaimed super villain Zest has a conquest to attest to and wont rest at the site of weak contest. Zest the smoker has been sent to undertake the fake and bring a new genre to help aid the preservation of the rap artistry.
-Feefs Faye
