It’s Kirbs.
Amongst the noise of today’s hip-hop scene and our divided society, Zach Kirby is a voice that needs to be heard.
Hailing from RVA, Kirbs began his journey to becoming a local pioneer in “truth rap” in 2003 at the age of 13. Inspired by the honesty and ingenuity of a young Kanye West, the bravado and grace of Jay-Z, the lyrical craftsmanship of artists like Eminem and Lupe Fiasco, the grassroots marketing of 50 Cent, and a love for the artform informed by studying the classics—Kirbs released a series of successful “Suburban Superstar” mixtapes. From the jump, the music centered on the “big” questions in life and an alternative view of the game from the perspective of a regular guy not pretending to be anything other than himself.
As he moved onto George Mason University, the young rap veteran took a step back from the marketing of his music and focused on honing his craft as a wordsmith. While designing a degree based on bringing Hip-Hop into academia, he crafted an underground anthology entitled “Self Explanatory.” Other than showcasing that project in the DMV area and garnering a dedicated fanbase, while at Mason, Kirbs continued to branch out as a voice-- routinely placing in slam poetry competitions, emceeing at numerous events, becoming a published writer, and even delivering the convocation speech at GMU’s 2011 graduation ceremonies. Musically this “Self Explanatory” period began an emphasis on timeless themes with a slant towards self-liberation and even more intricate rhyme schemes.
In recent years, Zach has faded into public obscurity, raising a family but still driving creativity behind the scenes. He has popped up for shows and even officiated over 50 weddings. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated “The time is always right to do what is right.” Kirbs sharing his art with the world is the right thing to do. And there’s no time like right now for him to emerge from the shadows…
After a 2 year run helping create and bolster the indie artist hub, The MSQ Shop, Kirbs is finally back with his studio-album debut, “G2G.” This album is a triumphant yet vulnerable ode to Hip-Hop, parenthood, and chasing dreams.
