’87 is the number for Mr. El-Barr. Born in California. Raised in the Middle East. This emcee sees the world from many lenses.His parents migrated to the U.S.A. (from East Africa) to escape the convoluted conditions imperialism continues to hold on the have-nots. While living in the Levant: Zinj learned to respect the Arab culture. Many of his childhood peers hail from all parts of the world, Yet throughout their differences, they come together on the medium of music.

Hip-Hop was introduced to Zinj El-Barr at a young age as the fervently fresh emcee admits himself:

“I was 10 years old when I started listening to [rap] music.  Wyclef [Jean]‘s [The Carnival] LP.  My cousin who used to  DJ, had crates full of records.  Hearing  Lauryn Hill on ‘Year of the Dragon’ had me going crazy back then, but I didn’t pay it no mind until years later…”