History has shown us that certain social, economic and cultural issues will never go away. As America’s military budget exceeds the combined amount of the next ten countries, we wonder if there will ever be world peace. As civil rights continue to be trampled in the States and abroad, we wonder if the system will ever work for the people, not just for corrupt corporations and governments. One thing we have learned from history, though, is that even a small group of dedicated, ambitious visionaries can change the world. Such is the message of Zion I and The Grouch, who, on their latest album Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation, assert that we can fix our country’s problems if we are brave, conscientous and, above all, compassionate.

Zion I (pronounced “Zion eye”) is a hip hop duo consisting of MC Zumbi, a veteran rapper who’s dropped verses alongside Q-Tip and Bassnectar, and DJ/producer AmpLive, who has worked with the likes of Akon, Linkin Park and MGMT. The Grouch is Corey Scoffern, an Oakland MC originally of the hip hop crew Living Legends. Zion I and The Grouch originally teamed up in 2006, and their music has reggae influences as well as “forward-thinking club mixing of UK artists such as Adrian Sherwood,” according to Zion I’s website.

Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation is Z&G’s sophomore release, a follow-up to 2006’s Heroes In The City Of Dope. Of the album’s title, The Grouch explained that “anyone changing other peoples’ lives for the better is a hero to me.”

“People are going through a difficult transition these days,” added Zumbi in a statement on the band’s social media outlets. “We want this album to aid in that process.”

The album also helps connect old sounds with new musical techniques; many tracks blend hip hop with hints of old-school reggae and new-school dubstep. Social commentary on Heroes ranges from pharmaceuticals and Big Business (“Plead The Fifth”) to new, young fathers who need to own up to their responsibilities (“Be A Father,” featuring a cameo by soul/funk producer Roy Ayers). Z&G even tackle health food issues on “I Used To Be A Vegan,” including genetically modified soybeans, hormone-laden meat and those ambiguous, cancer-causing food dyes.

In all honesty, there were so many good songs on Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation that it was hard to pick out the ones I liked best. “Leader” has an assertive tone with simple, Middle Eastern-inspired rhythms and rousing rhymes (“We ain’t marchin’ just to any old beat / … And when we roll deep, let us all bring heat / Fists up, it’s rough, no time to sleep / … Now we painting the words so they gonna reach, teach“). Title track “Healing of the Nation” fuses hip hop backbeats, edgy guitar riffs and techno synths in an anthem for changemakers: “Keep lookin’ and learnin’, it’s called progress / She’s burnin’, we keep turnin’ / the page, the cheek, the tide, a new conquest / If you wanna get something done, you’ve got to do it yourself / Get yourself up! Get yourself up!”

“Frankenstein” may be my favorite song off the album because of its sobering chorus and ballsy lyrics that challenge institutionalized ideas and systems of the 21st century. I particularly liked this verse from The Grouch:

Advertised lies penetrate deep, crushin’ your thought process
It’s no coincidence you can’t stay focused as easy as you can stay broke
Yet they got a drug for ADD or whatever it be at every pharmacy
Pornos slappin’ you in the face on internet streets
No wonder you can’t sleep
But there’s a pill for that and a big bill for that man
Spam from every direction ‘til you don’t know your reflection from your avatar
Are you who you say you are?
Or just a sliver of who you know you’re supposed to be?
Well Google the answers and check one of your ten favorite social networks for assurance
Maybe it’s in your email box
Or someone will randomly text it to you while you’re at the movies
I know the answers already though
Clear out the excess, get rid of the unnecessary
Now’s the time y’all, reclaim your souls
(chorus)
It’s up to you and me, we made a monster and we set it free
It’s an illusion in your mind
It’s Frankestein, it’s Frankenstein

Here’s a short video promo for the album:

Last Saturday in San Francisco, Z&G kicked off a nationwide “Healing Of The Nation” tour in advance of the album’s release. A press release announced 100% of ticket fees from ZioniandtheGrouch.com will be donated to local community organizations. National partners in this endeavor include Universal Giving and Hip Hop Congress.

“Since being usurped by major labels, commercial hip-hop has leaned toward excess,” Zumbi said in the press release. “For me, the materialistic ideals of the artists basically mimics the ethos of our balls-to-the walls capitalist society. … We want to inspire people to consider these issues and blaze their own pathway. It’s all about encouraging folks to lead, not follow.”

“When we give freely of our hearts, the universe returns the energy back to us tenfold,” Zumbi added. “The idea is to share whatever [is] extra so that the whole benefits instead of just the individual.”

Fans will have a chance to give back to their communities when they purchase a ticket to the “Healing Of The Nation” tour from Zion I and The Grouch’s website. Z&G will be in Arcata, CA tomorrow night, Eugene, OR on Thursday and Portland, OR on Friday. Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation debuts today and is available at the Z&G online store and on iTunes.