After catching up with Zach Powers - aka Rockwell Powers - between soccer games, his work as marketing and communications director at The Grand Cinema, and whatever else this 26-year-old Tacoma hip-hop kid is up to, we learn more about production of his new single and music video, "Two Sides," what to expect from his upcoming album Build, and how it feels to be voted Best of Tacoma.

In the video for "Two Sides", which is more a slideshow of powerful images than a video, Powers and his cohort, DJ Phinisey, collaborated with local photographer Scott Haydon.

"We wanted a collection that reflected some of best and worst of life in Tacoma," said Powers, "We also wanted to include images of Tacoma's cityscape that were different than those generally captured in local lore. The images that speak the most to me are the few that are placed back to back that very harshly draw contrast, one that comes to mind is a photo of a local McDonalds that is followed by a photo of a family eating together outside passing around what we can easily assume is far from fast food."

The result is a thought-provoking representation of Tacoma in words and pictures, and with Powers' background in campaign management and politics, I can't help but wonder if "Two Sides" is a political statement.

"I don't necessarily see it that way," said Powers, "but for sure there are a lot of political undertones to it and a few lines that are directly critical of public policy so I think that is a fair way to classify it. To me though it's a bit broader and is more of a general lament about culture and the collective of corporate, government, societal systems that all attempt to shape who people, young people especially, are and become."

The single is a highlight from Build, which is set to release in October. Powers' has five releases under his belt - this is his first project since 2011 and is his second collaboration with DJ Phinisey.

"My projects before this have had, to me, a very coming-of-age spirit to them," said Powers, "and this project is written much more from the perspective of a reflective, critical adult, rather than a wide-eyed, constantly evolving adolescent. Plus, DJ has been one of my best friends since we met in 2007 at PLU and creating music with good friends is a really rewarding experience."

And how does it feel to be voted by Weekly Volcano readers as the best hip-hop artist in Tacoma?

"I was really surprised, to be honest," he said. "I've been pretty off the radar for a couple of years, so I've kinda had the mentality that with this new album I'll sort of be starting all over again ... so this was an encouraging sign that maybe more folks are already listening than I might have thought."

Listen for yourself at rockwellpowers.com or catch him live at Wright Park Saturday, Aug 17.