Zawles

Zawles, born Matthew Gonzales has stomped into the rap game from the jump with an enormous effect on music that is just impossible to ignore.

“Music has always been number one in my heart, I’ve been rhyming since the 5th grade he says.” Zawles, however just entered the rap scene officially in the year of 2005 with more potential, knowledge and force than before.

His first CD release, Back Alive- The I’m Holding EP is a proven classic with the song ‘Sinful LIFE’ being picked up by Peace Arch Entertainment and is the theme song for the movie “Animal 2?, starring Ving Rhames and featuring Debra Valente who is also featured on the chorus of the Song.

Zawles has done collaborations with the likes of Royce Da 5’9? and Crooked I after they joined Eminem’s Shady Records Label.

Currently working on his debut independent Album, Zawles says, He is eager to quench everybody’s curiosity and give them more than what they expect.

Toronto Rap Artist - ZAWLES

In the meantime Zawles has a brand new single – “Imma Keep Pushing”, now available on iTunes.

“I’ve gotta bright future…I ain’t ever gonna turn back. I got the game in my right hand, the fame in my left…The road to success looks clear on my map…” are just a sprinkling of some of the positive thinking lines, Zawles throws into this piece.

These are however not pie-in-the-sky daydreams with unrealistic Utopian ideals. Checking out the live studio-session video, of “Imma Keep Pushing” , you get the feeling that Zawles is a down to earth rag-tag rapper working hard to achieve his goals of success.

On this new song, production wise, there seems to be more remixing and tweaking than on previous works. Resulting in a more profound organic sound. While lyrically, fans can expect a song that is thorough and aggressively positive in it’s attitude.

“Imma Keep Pushing”, confirms that Zawles remains a dazzling and singularly talented rapper who also knows how to select his beats, and what differentiates this new release from his previous tracks, is not only the music production, or his prodigal rhyming skills, or even his streetwise disciple approach.

What really sets this track apart, is that it sounds like Zawles‘ most passionately authentic and personal work to date, and as a result, it may well be on it’s way to becoming one of his most exceptional.

So while you are standing by, awaiting the upcoming Zawles album, which is already in the works, shoot over to iTunes and download his latest single – “Imma Keep Pushing”.

CATCH ZAWLES ON HIS HOMEPAGE

BUY ZAWLES MUSIC ON iTUNES - http://jamsphere.com

"The only difference between Zawles and rappers like Lil' Wayne is radio play."


By Beeb Ashcroft

If you're looking for a new rap disc to blare in your car, give Zawles' Back Alive EP a spin. Listeners who enjoy MTV Jams and like rap songs about money, cars, and girls will love this CD. For the genre, it's well done – the only difference between Zawles and rappers like Lil' Wayne is radio play. Zawles' trademark is his "Lazy Flow," which he devotes the opening track to. His raps are well structured, and I liked his use of samples.

This is a brief EP that mainly showcases the cut "I'm Holdin'" - featuring both the uncensored and radio-friendly versions, with an instrumental thrown in for good measure. A solid track about "hustlin'," Zawles showcases his flow and spits about his life. There are 4 other tracks on the EP, and despite the questionable title, "Get ya P***y Wet/Nuttin' Wrong," is actually the best rap on this CD, musically speaking. He leaves the lazy flow behind during a lot the verses, and delivers quick rhymes in a feat of vocal gymnastics. I actually like this delivery a lot, and I think it showcases his talents better than the "lazier" rhymes. This track also makes excellent use of samples - I enjoyed the use of guitar, and thought everything sat together really well. He lost me somewhat at the chorus, with the refrain "Bend over, show ya thong! Get ya P***y wet! Let 'em know you not a ho, get ya P***y wet!"; but that's just me.

"Straight Hustlaz" is another standout cut, with a melodic groove that I liked a lot. "Sinful Life" is a slower track featuring soft female vocals in the chorus, a rapper's lament about the hardships of street life. All things considered, this EP is nothing groundbreaking – it's pretty standard Top 40 rap, but it's polished and well thought out, and just as deserving of your time as any mainstream rap disc.

Indie-Music Profile
- Indie music.com- Beeb Ashcroft