Biography

If aliens were to land on Earth and ask to see an example of a hip-hop group, you would not show them Rhymz Suhreal.  Simply put, this hip-hop duo refuses to follow traditional stereotypes.  And Rhymz Suhreal is anything but followers.

Somewhere along the musical horizon is a place where folk meets hip-hop, and in there lies the sound of Rhymz Suhreal.  While the sound may be 21st century, what defines the group is traditional.  In an age where ‘keeping it real’ quickly loses meaning, RS maintains its musical values through the integrity of their storytelling.  Elements of celebration and struggle, declaration and doubt, provide muscle and carry the weight of honest expressions as they collide with life, love, and faith.

For Zak and Becky, some departures from the normal hip-hop roles are unavoidable, while others are by design.  Their latest collection of work reflects this diverse approach within an art form created for expression, not superficial gains.  On the album ‘Free’, songs of substance and soul layer between beats and melodies that can in one moment raise an audience to a fist-pumping fever pitch, and in the next quiet the storm for soul searching reflection.

It is rare to find a group that can communicate with power to such a wide audience, and in this sense Rhymz Suhreal is fluid.  Their sound blurs musical borders, it engages listeners from many walks of life.  Since 2000, this husband and wife team have brought their form of a hip-hop revival to national audiences everywhere.  From coffeehouses, to summer festivals, prisons or churches, RS has proved that as diverse as their sound is, so is their audience.

As songwriters, Zak and Becky aim for the heart.  They keep listeners in touch to a shared existence with lyrics that are built to cut beyond the surface.  This earthy approach to songwriting allows them to keep their feet planted in the dirt, and yet stretch both hands to the heavens without becoming too overly idealistic.

As musicians, they prove ‘Free’ to be a musical canvas on which they paint with strokes of pianos and percussion, acoustic guitars and orchestras, stripped bare or deeply layered, each one is a texture that resonates a distinct Rhymz vibe.

As performers, what might be perceived as weaknesses to the uninitiated, quickly are viewed as strengths by the experienced.  With a slight smile Zak explains that, “We’ve been described before as a group with a southpaw punch.  Many people judge us by looking at us and trying to fit us into a pigeonhole; a perception of what the media says that a hip-hop group should be.  But when they hear our sound, and experience what we bring to a live performance, they walk away believers.”

Developing this type of relationship with listeners has not happened overnight.  By working to perfect their artistry and through the steady success of their debut self-titled album, fans can be confident of one thing: RS makes good music.  Whether it is a track that is an edgy fusion of rock and hip-hop, or a groovin’ island-influenced jam, this couple makes it their own.  Moving between spoken poetry and pop harmonies, Rhymz Suhreal goes from tough to tender and never skips a beat.  The depth of creativity found on ‘Free’ is exemplified by it’s operatic intro and influenced ‘Let Love Loose’ to the climactic and uplifting choir on the cd’s finale ‘I’ll Be Alright’.  And in, between lies something for everyone.

“We just write and create from a passion to express who we are, what we are becoming, and who we want to be.  Life is a journey, and our music reflects that.  Even though we are a hip hop band, we have crafted these songs so that we can play them with just an acoustic guitar on the street corner, or take it to a club and bring the roof down.  I think people really connect to it because our music is accessible, and I think we present it as such.” says Becky.

So whether it’s the blended elements of hip-hop, rock, poetic folk, and acoustic melodies, or the powerful and inspiring live performances that draw people to the Rhymz Suhreal sound, one thing is for certain: Rhymz Suhreal will continue to uplift, encourage, and push beyond the boundaries of musical expectations for listeners everywhere.