August 24, 2009
Zach Elyshevitz: A Fresh face in the Hip-Hop World
Recently I had a chance to talk to a good friend of mine, Zach Elyshevitz, from Team Blackout. Some of you might have seen him on MTV’s Run’s House. Check out what this young, confident yet humble guy has to say about the hip-hop world. (hint: It’s not dead. It’s just entering a new era!) Get to know more about him on his blog and Twitter.
First, tell us about yourself and Team Blackout.
Well, we officially formed Team Blackout in 2003, around the time that the New York City Blackout occurred. One of my group members, JoJo Simmons (Rev Run’s son), and I have been good friends since first grade. We decided around eighth grade that we wanted to form our own rap group. Eventually we met our third member, Reggie, during freshmen year of high school, and the rest is history. We've been fortunate enough to make several appearances on JoJo's family's show, Run's House on MTV. Since I was a little kid, I had a passion for music, and I have always been involved in it in some way. I started playing the drums when I was 10 years old, and it was at then that I found hip-hop and immediately fell in love with it. Along with being a hip-hop artist, I am a jazz-performance major at the City College of New York.
What are the messages that you try convey to your audience? What are some of your inspirations when writing a song?
I always want to make music that people can relate to. I like to incorporate my personal experiences into my songs and give people a better idea of who I am. Hence my new track, "I'm Me.”
Tell me about that song.
When I wrote my song "I'm Me" I guess it was my way of venting. While I was a member of Team Blackout and making appearances on Run's House, the world never got a chance to really get to know me. I feel like people have all these assumptions about me and our group because of who we're affiliated with on the show. I'm proud to have that affiliation with the Simmons family; however, I feel like there's so much to me that the world doesn't know yet. My new mission is to let them know.
Can you describe your sense of fashion? What is your style?
My sense of fashion is still evolving. This past winter, I guess you would say I was going for that hipster look. I was rocking a lot of button-downs and vests, but still throwing on the Adidas to keep it hip-hop. I try to stay up on what’s happening as far as fashion, but give it my own little twist.
Finally, is there any special project or event coming up?
Right now, I am working on my first solo mix tape! It's called In My Own World. I don't have an official release date, but I'm taking my time and trying to make the best music possible. For the time being, I will be releasing a new song every week on the Internet while I work on the official mix tape.
—Mitsu Tsuchiya, Fashion Assistant
Posted at 07:52 PM in Chic Week | Permalink
Comments
so good! Keep it up Zach! The world is watching and we like what we see =)
Posted by: MJ | August 25, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Zach
I honestly believe that you will excel in your hip hop career. Continue to make good music and it will take you far. You have a great talent,you need to let the entire world see your tight lyrics.
Posted by: CJ | August 25, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Nice interview, Mitsu! (ps-Run's House is one of my favorites...)
Posted by: Johanna | August 25, 2009 at 10:17 AM
yay mitsu!!!
Posted by: rachel gilman | August 24, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Nice interview, Short & Sweet. iLike how they threw in the fashion question, gives it a better feel instead of a "generic upcoming rapper interview". Good Luck in all you do sir. Look forward to add'l interview excerpts.
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