“Zion keeps the revolutionary fire spirit lit in the minds of the people.” – Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner
“Zion I is the Bay Area-based rapper and production duo who’s been balancing the Bay’s energetic hip hop trends with brilliant lyricism.” – EARMILK
“Producer AmpLive and emcee Zumbi want you to be moved not just by the music, but also by the message.” – HipHopDX
Zion I are keeping busy. Premiered by EARMILK, they’ve released a VibeSquaD remix of “Fresh,” a single from their Masters of Ceremony EP, which dropped earlier this year. EARMILK describes the track as “mellow and chill,” adding that “it further highlights how vastly underrated Zion I is outside of the Bay, as his lyricism works perfect under the more funky, LA-type production.”
The “Fresh” (VibeSquaD remix) follows last week’s “Masters of Ceremony” (Thriftworks Remix), which debuted via PotholesInMyBlog. Similarly, that remix presents a more chill vibe than the original. Zion I released their latest video single “Get Urs” earlier this, premiering via XXL. The song was produced by Headonic and the video featured a strong cast of rappers including Mr. Lif, Kev Choice, Deuce Eclipse, Opio, and Sadat X. The track is a single from the second installment of their trilogy, Libations EP.
The hip-hop fusion duo has been on tour throughout October, hitting several U.S. and Canada cities. The tour concludes on Halloween night, as they’ll be celebrating with their annual Hella Fresh Fest in Oakland alongside Grieves and Dizzy Wright. Tickets for all shows are available here.
Listen to “Fresh” (VibeSquaD Remix): https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/fresh-vibesquad-remix/
Check out the EARMILK premiere: http://www.earmilk.com/2014/10/23/zion-i-is-mad-fresh-in-this-vibesquad-remix-premiere
Buy The Master of Ceremonies EP on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.
Stream The Master of Ceremonies EP on Bandcamp: http://zionicrew.
Buy Libations EP on iTunes: bit.ly/1lCowO3
Stream and listen to Libations EP here: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/sets/libations-ep
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/173436376″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Zion I.
Since 1999, Zion I has released seven critically acclaimed LPs, including Mind Over Matter (1998), Deep Water Slang (2000), True & Livin’ (2003), Break of Dawn (2004), The Take Over (2009), and Atomic Clock (2010). They also have two highly acclaimed albums under the name Zion I and The Grouch with long time collaborator The Grouch, Hereos in the City of Dope and Hereos in the Healing of the Nation. Voted best Bay Area hip-hop group by the SF Weekly numerous times, Zion I have been featured in media outlets from XXL, The Source, Vibe, YRB, 944, Prefixmag.com, Popmatters, 7+7, SF Chronicle, and SF Bay Guardian.
Having opened for rap royalty including De La Soul, Rakim, and Run-D.M.C, this duo of genre-bender pride has made a name for itself on the Bay Area scene. Oakland’s MC Zumbi and DJ/producer Amp Live blend hip-hop and trip-hop beats with lyrics focused on a message of unity, hope, and spiritual awareness while successfully mixing spiritualism and hip-hop. Their debut album, Mind Over Matter, was released in May of 2000 and features collaborations with fellow Bay Area rappers Rasco, Planet Asia, and the Grouch. Although Zion I operates out of Berkeley, the group was originally formed in Atlanta, making their music difficult to classify as strictly West Coast hip-hop. Their musical style makes them even harder to define. With a style that borrows from hip-hop, trance, drum’n’bass, and reggae, Zion I’s style is equally mystical and mystifying.
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“Fresh” (VibeSquaD Remix): https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/fresh-vibesquad-remix/
“Masters of Ceremony” (Thriftworks Remix): https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/masters-of-ceremony-thriftworks-remix/
“Get Urs”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVAogyc_vL0
Libations: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/sets/libations-ep
The Master of Ceremonies: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/sets/the-masters-of-ceremony-ep
Hella Fresh: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/hella-fresh-fest-mixtape
ShadowBoxing: The Remixes: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/sets/shadowboxing-the-remixes