Zimbabwe Legit - House of Stone. A brand new album by the Z to the L featuring appearances by the likes of Vast Aire, Chubb Rock, Stic.man of dead prez, Prince Po, Mike G from the Jungle Brothers, Breez Evahflowin', YZ, Cadence and more.Available Now through pH MUSIC/Redline Music Distribution. You can get it at the Redline Music Website or any other fine digital download, online or physical retailers. Who is Zimbabwe Legit? They were a pioneering group in that they were one of the first African hip-hop artists to put out a record with a major US label in the early 90s. As fate would have it though, that label would go under, and the group would remain in limbo - left to find their way in hip-hop through other endeavors, vehicles, forums and even groups including affiliates O.U.O. More than a decade after Zimbabwe Legit had completed their full length album that never saw the light of day, they found a label and situation that would enable to release the lost tapes and re-introduce the world to the Brothers from the Mother. the full story of the group is chronicled in the liner notes of the CD brothers from the mother. Their music and performance blends african themes and sensibilities with the hardcore, gritty drum beat of the US hip-hop movement. They address topics that are socially relevant and make music that is uplifting and inspirational. Zimbabwe Legit represented a uniquely African voice of American youth - Waxpoetics. “The first African rap group to truly reach an international audience, Zimbabwe Legit came equipped with an amazing sense of humor, fierce politics, and a sharp understanding of history.” - Fabulous Jackpot ZIMBABWE LEGIT BROTHERS FROM THE MOTHER (REISSUE) Glow in the Dark A long lost treasure from the golden era of Hip-Hop... signed to Dave "Funken" Klein's Hollywood/Basic Label in the early 90s, ZIMBABWE LEGIT were two brothers that had a positive pro-black message in their raps, and nothing short of incredible party beats to back up their socially conscious messageOn GLOW IN THE DARK and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! - From Reckless. CNET Editor's review In the early '90s, American hip-hop began to see a surge in Afrocentric consciousness, though this often meant donning a dashiki while ignoring African hip-hop. Zimbabwe Legit brought a mellow, jazzy style and cool rhymes that were all set to change that, but label trouble kept their EP below the radar. That early material still remains blissfully fresh 13 years later. - CNET.com ZIMBABWE LEGIT - Brothers From the Mother (Glow in the Dark) CD. The duo of Zimbabwe Legit will convince anyone that the early 90's was an absolute high point for hard hitting, head nodding political rap music. The one dude sounds a lot like Subroc from KMD (another mandatory early 90s group) and the beats roll and stomp like your favorite Brand Nubian or Tribe Called Quest songs, full of funky basslines, horn stabs and jazz samples. The first African rap group to reach an international audience, Zimbabwe Legit had an amazing sense of humor, fierce politics, and a sharp understanding of history. An immediately loveable record, and I'm on my way to send a thank you note to the label right now for finally making this one available. - Fabulous Jackpot HipHopSite Review (Vaulted re-release; no rating given) Digging in the vaults of defunct or negligent record labels is becoming an increasingly popular and wise decision on the part of independents. While the early-90s was undoubtedly a high point for hip-hop, even then, labels were more often concerned about capital than creativity. But thanks to labels like Stones Throw, abandoned projects now have a new home and new shelf life. Taking note of this development, Glow In The Dark Records aptly presents the Afrocentric sounds of Zimbabwe Legit with their impressive 1992 full-length debut, Brothers From The Mother. As the title alludes, Zimbabwe Legit are natives of Africa, who were already established hip-hoppers by the time they touched American soil (New York) in 1990. But by no means is their heritage a gimmick. It's their foundation; it's the way they "rock to the drums" with a rich effortlessness. As this duo displays on the refined opening cut, "Basically Speaking," just because they're not American-born doesn't mean they're not well aware of slavery and racial injustice. All throughout this compact, 41-minute effort, they make it evident how well read they are without going over anyone's head in the process. And as songs like "To Bead or Not to Bead" prove, ZL are also well aware of culture counterfeits as they cunningly examine the authenticity and commercialization of Afrocentricity in America. On a lighter note, Zimbabwe Legit can drop straightforward golden era hip-hop (see the up-tempo Black Sheep-esque "Straight from the Mothership") just as convincingly. Zimbabwe Legit arguably would have had an edge up on other Afrocentric acts of the early-90s because of their experience of living in both Africa and America and their ability to so eloquently relay this. Yet the industry didn't see it that way. Nonetheless Zimbabwe Legit's magnetic debut is aptly getting a second chance. While ZLcarry a sound all their own, fans of X-Clan, Poor Righteous Teachers, Das Efx and Black Sheep are all likely to find solace in this rock solid, golden era composition. Review By: Max Herman - hiphopsite.com