The mysterious ZHU has suddenly reappeared with a new song on Soundcloud featuring DC up-and-coming rapper Goldlink. ZHU has tabbed Goldlink to help refresh his tune "Paradise Awaits" from his The Nightday EP released earlier in the year. It is not a new song, but the flip creates a new atmosphere for "Paradise Awaits." Steven Zhu, better known as ZHU slows down the track, making a few adjustments to make room for Goldlink. The "Faded" producer takes out his own verses, letting Goldlink have the spotlight for an opening verse, but his whimsical falsettos dominate the chorus (via Pigeons and Planes).
It is an interesting collaboration between these two hotly tabbed up-and-comers in their genre.
Just as hip hop artists clamored to get on dubstep beats during its dominant period of 2012–2013, hip hop and deep house are starting to merge in ways never thought possible five years ago. Nicki Minaj sampled a 2010 Maya Jane Coles track "What They Say" with her new tune "Truffle Butter" from The Pinkprint (via Mixmag).
ZHU has been doing a few sparse festival tour dates in the United States and in Australia, where the legend of ZHU has grown even further. He did his first in-studio interview down under with Triple J, where he discussed his upcoming album and his creative process for making music.
His single "Faded" has become one of the biggest dance music hits of the year, earning a Grammy nomination, despite never showing his face to the public. It will be interesting to see if ZHU decides to remove the fog of mystery when the award ceremony comes and actually appear at the show. The "Best Dance/Electronic Song" category probably won't be televised, so he wouldn't have to worry about the whole world seeing his face.
