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This week we are healing the nation...

 

This week I have been slappin' the latest from Zion I and The Grouch, Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation. Zion I and The Grouch have collaborated many times before, and Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation (HHN) is the follow up to their 2006 smash hit collaboration album, Heroes In The City Of The Dope. Zion I (Zumbi & Amp Live) and The Grouch return this time not to save Oakland, but to save the nation. Zion I and The Grouch bring along a host of their friends on their crusade including Brother Ali, Casual, Silk E, Los Rakas, as well as many others. HHN opens up with Invitation featuring Brother Ali. Invitation isn't your standard opener.The track does not features The Grouch or Zumbi, but rather Brother Ali asking us to come along on the journey. Very cool concept, but I was a little disappointed Brother Ali didn't rap, he really is the truth. Leader follows kicking off the album. You might remember Leader from an article I did a few months back; the track was released as a single a few months back. Even though I have heard Leader a million times before I still think its one of the best tracks on HHN. You don't have to be a follower to understand that Leader is a dope track. Victorious People featuring Freeway caries on the feeling of Leader and keeps the positive vibes flowing. Zumbi and The Grouch straight kill the beat that Amp Live has laced, but man does Freeway murder his 16, keeping the connection between the Philadelphia and the Bay close. Drop It On The 1 is the first official slapper on HHN. I know I have said it before, but Amp Live is the Phil Spectre of Hip Hop. The beat on Drop It On The 1 seems very minimalist at first, but after a few listens you start to hear all these sounds that you didn't catch at first. Each sample, kick, and bass hit working in complete unison to make a complete sounds. Its easy to forget about Amp Live, because he doesn't rap on the album, but his beats do speak! One of my favorite tracks on HHN is It's Going Down featuring Jacob Hemphill. It's Going Down has a dope concept with The Grouch and Zumbi taking turns spitting about the up and downs of life. Life takes sudden turns, which is something I think everyone can relate to, especially now a days. Zion I and The Grouch speak on life lessons all over HHN with tracks including Be A Father To Your Child, and I Used To Be A Vegan. These tracks are dope, I respect these MC opinions, I might not always agree with them, but its refreshing to hear musicians with a serious point of view. Other tracks I am feeling on HHN include Rockit Man featuring Silk E, I Plead The Fifth featuring Casual, Fashawn, C. Holiday, and Test Of Time featuring Marty James. There really isn't a bad track on HHN each track features rich production, thoughtful lyrics, and soul. Did I mention HHN doesn't featuring any cursing. At first I thought I bought the clean version, but then on a closer inspection i saw that I didn't and realized Z&G made the album like that so everyone can listen. Cursing or not it really doesn't matter to me, but It defiantly helps more people hear the music. Zion I and The Grouch have made another album that is on point both musically and lyrically that will have people talking and most importantly thinking. So lets start the healing and go out and cop Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation.