Zack de la Rocha ( born January 12 , 1970 ) is the lead singer of American rock band Rage Against the Machine . He was born in Long Beach , California . ZacarÃ as Manuel `` Zack '' de la Rocha ( born January 12 , 1970 in Long Beach , California ) is an American rapper , musician , poet , and activist best known as the vocalist and lyricist of Rage Against the Machine .