It’s normal for producers from DJ Khaled to Swizz Beats to collaborate with labels and artists alike, on many accounts, to create iconic projects that bring together artists that would not do so otherwise. On September 20th, Zeal & Pristine released The Z List highlighting standout artists from across the US including Dizziablo; CDZ! and Kuji; Ria Bella and Dee Spitta; Ro J. and Dayaln Gideon; Millswaschosen; Wave Parker, Rebel, Supreme Prisms, and even a feature from the media publication’s CEO.

As aforementioned Zeal & Pristine (Z&P) is a press company, not a music label, which is what makes The Z List groundbreaking. Yes, record labels typically drop collab tapes but never before has a press publication directly collaborated with artists to give fans such a raw product.

Lefrak City’s own Dizziablo in NYC’s Newest Entity welcomes listeners to The Z List with dark bellowing vocals. The Lefrak City talent graces beats, sonically depicting the feel of the city. The MCGE 57 affiliate starts the project with the sound of New York setting the tone for a promising mixtape. Dizziablo energetically flows over grimy NYC beats accentuating his lyricism.

The Z List takes listeners out-west subsequently following the grimy sounds of the city, MillsWasChosen continues to put on for Inland Empire and the NoPolitics label as sweet keys and a Crew Love sample introduce the introspective vocals on Chalk It Up With God. Mills humbly flexes, speaking life over his gang and warning enemies.

The Z List has a range of music and its curation was emphasized, Riah Bella and Dee Spitta were included on the mixtape, putting the city girls up on the scoreboard with Pay Day. Per their song, Riah Bella and Dee Spitta subscribe to the sentiment “It’s not trickin’ if you got it” encouraging all the ballers and steppers to spend a ticket.

Ro J. and Dayaln Gideon separate themselves from other Atlanta rappers with relaxed, dark, bars stretched over boom-bap beats on Visit to Harlem. The duo strolls through their feature like a walk on a cool night. continuing the sonic fluidity of The Z List.

Continuing the sonic fluidity of The Z List, CDZ! and Kuji slows the pace of music with North (Zoom). Another Georgia native, CDZ! spits game with Kuji as nonchalant players. Their muddy and swinging vocals and embracing the city and country nature that is Atlanta. 

Wave Parker, Rebel, Supreme Prisms, and Hudson, The Sound Queen collaborate on Give ‘Em Some Mo a general victory lap for breaking ground on a new lane within the industry, and a fun song that encapsulates the essence of what The Z List is.

Media Publication/ Press is usually a buffer between the art and the people. However, Zeal & Pristine look to break the mold of the typical role of press publication to strengthen the connection between the art/artist and the people. The ability to break down the barrier that media publications/press typically create is a testament to Z&Ps’ feet on the ground and its grassroots approach to press in the context of the music industry. Unlike larger media publication companies Z&P doesn’t have to wave-surf, which is evident in the genuineness of the music.

The tracks on The Z List could have stood alone as singles. Each artist and collaborator independently created a song that represented life through their current lens. The diversity of the music that made The Z List shows that free press is truly good press. We await more mixtapes from Zeal & Pristine and in the meanwhile watch everyone follow in the footsteps of the good folks at Z&P.