If this is your introduction to Zulu P, then I highly advise digging up the group's “Sippin' On The Juice All Night” from their H.O.T. mixtape. Just as a heads up that this is neither the beginning or the end of a truly unique project.
Zulu P was formed in a SoHo-based day center for people with disabilities. But as the saying goes, it ain't where you're from it's where you're at. Zulu P's I'm Up On These Streets mixtape revisits some of the stylistic nuances of the H.O.T. tape, lo-fi production, group chants that live in the moment, and off-the-cuff rhymes that display spurts of genius. Where IUOTS builds out the Zulu P sound is the live instrumentration and reggae influence on tracks like “Jump Around” and “West Africa”. The group's hook-writing is still its greatest strength, as there's gold here worthy of radio play. As for the spurts of genius? Whether you heard it from Gucci Mane or Zulu P, claims that “Facebook is so wack” are going to be met with a smile and tip of the hat.
Presented by RNYC, Zulu P's mixtape release party is at the Ace Hotel on December 16 and features The Oracle DJs.
