Zak Tell
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Zak Nikolas Tell (born November 16, 1970) is a Swedish musician and the lead vocalist of the nu metal band Clawfinger.
Tell was born in Stockholm, Sweden. From an early age, Tell and his family later moved to Bristol in England for several years (where he mastered the English language better) before relocating back into Sweden in 1982. Tell formed Clawfinger in The Rosegrove Mental Institute (which had later been an influence on the song 'Rosegrove' which appeared on the first album) after he met guitarist Bård Torstensen, who had been listening to Tell's ability to rap throughout the hospital corridors and the two later became friends after they realized they had a similar interest in music. The group was later joined by Jocke Skog (keyboardist) and Erlend Ottem (guitarist) which later led to the group making a demo for a radio show and later winning a record contract.
Tell's style of rapping is often very well known for been very political, anti religious and anti racist, and has been compared by the Allmusic Guide to the vocal style of Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee. His voice is often criticized by most media, for sounding too americanized and The song 'Step Aside' from Zeros & Heroes didn't sit well with most American audiences due to the fact he slams George W. Bush, the post 9/11 (and not only) military politics of the US.
[edit] Trivia:
- Tell states his influences on his music been Jello Biafra, Chuck D and Frank Zappa.
- The first album he bought was Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's Greatest hits.
