ZEFT by Black Wind & Ruama

In the raw, gritty landscape of underground rap, "Zeft" emerges as a powerful collaboration between Black Wind and Chilean artists Ruama and Emete (Malos Habitos). This album is a street symphony, born from the shared pain and resilience of two geographically distant societies, unified through their scars of political violence and the exile of their children.

"Zeft" takes a minimal and experimental approach, contrasting the commercial beats dominating the current music scene. Handcrafted by Ruama and Emete, the beats complement Black Wind's lyrics with the textured warmth of vinyl samples, psychedelic guitar riffs, and hard-hitting rhymes, creating a haunting and soulful sound. From drumless chops to boom bap drums with scratches, these beats evoke the essence of rap as we learned it as kids, setting the emotional tone while allowing the rapper to shine without being overshadowed.

The title, "Zeft," symbolizes the dark, sticky tar of streets marred by violence, yet it also embodies the raw, unfiltered creativity and talent that flourish in those very same streets. This project is more than music; it's a testament to survival, unity, and the unbreakable spirit of the streets.

Mehdi, aka Black Wind, from Salé, the cradle of Moroccan rap, based in Marseille.