Personnel: Zeph (scratches); Azeem (rap vocals); Chela Simone (vocals); Will Bernard (guitar); Balboa Becker (horns); Seth Theodore (bass instrument).
Additional personnel: Luv Fyah, Joyo Velarde (vocals); Tony Moses, TuT (rap vocals); DJ Teeko (scratches).
The Bay Area producer/MC duo Zeph & Azeem represents a geographical anomaly, preferring a B-Boy centric sound more akin to mid-to-late-1990s New York rap than the hyphy movement. On RISE UP, the pair's debut release on Om Records, lyricist Azeem composes intricate rhyme schemes while Zeph (aka DJ Zeph) breathes fresh life into familiar production territory--utilizing old-school breakbeats, jam-band drums, and reggae rhythms. RISE UP features guest work from the likes of Joyo Velarde, Tony Moses, Luv Fyah, Tut, and DJ Teeko.