Zack de la Rocha

During his teenage years he became a vegetarian. He believes that animals should not go through the process of torture and slaughter.

Zacar�as Manuel Zack de la Rocha was born to painter, muralist and graphic artist, Roberto ‘Beto’ de la Rocha and Olivia de la Rocha in Long Beach, California. His father played a crucial role in shaping his cultural outlook.

When he was barely one year old, his parents got divorced. He consequently began to live with his mother in Irvine, where she pursued her Ph.D.

He initially played the guitar for the rock band ‘Juvenile Expression’ and later became a part of the band named, ‘Hardstance’, which was renamed ‘Inside Out’. The band enjoyed a large national underground following.

In 1990, as a part of the band ‘Inside Out’, he gave the vocals and played the bass for their debut album titled, ‘No Spiritual Surrender’. This was the band’s first and last album, as they broke up after this.

In 1991, he began to perform hip hop and freestyle at local pubs. It was during this period that he was spotted by guitarist Tom Morello. Together, they formed the band, ‘Rage Against the Machine’. While Brad Wilk joined them as a drummer, Tim Commerford was recruited to play bass.

In 1992, he gave the vocals for the band, ‘Rage Against the Machine’s’ eponymous debut album. The album was recognised for its meaningful and emotionally charged outlook. Also, it became one of the few albums with a political tone to receive extensive airplay in radio and television.

In 1996, he delivered the vocals for the second album titled, ‘Evil Empire’. The album featured the songs, ‘People of the Sun’, ‘Bulls on Parade’ and ‘Vietnow’. Though the album recorded a major sell-out and was a super hit, it failed to gather much political action.

In 1998, the band came out with their first live compilation album, ‘Live & Rare’. The album included some live and rare tracks. However, it was released only in Japan.

Year 1999 witnessed the release of the band’s third studio album titled, ‘The Battle of Los Angeles’. The album earned a Grammy Award nomination in the category of ‘Best Rock Album’.

‘The Battle of Los Angeles’, the third album of the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’, released in 1999, gained a worldwide appeal and was highly appreciated. It was ranked number 426 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003 and in 2005, the album was ranked number 369 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time..