“Zion keeps the revolutionary fire spirit lit in the minds of the people.” – Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner
“Producer AmpLive and emcee Zumbi want you to be moved not just by the music, but also by the message.” – HipHopDX
Earlier this year, Zion I returned with their Libations EP, the second installment of a three part series the duo is working on. Libations is the follow up album to Master of Ceremonies, the first installment of their free trilogy, which focuses on high energy music where the listener feels invigorated and can be taken to a different state of mind. Complete with a multitude of artists and debuted by XXL, “Get Urs” is a new visual from the indie hip-hop fusion group. The video features flashy backdrops, iconic photographs and close-ups with each featured guest. The track was produced by Headnodic and features Mr. Lif, Kev Choice, Deuce Eclipse, Opio, and Sadat X spitting their own verses as each rapper stamps their unique brand on the video.
Introduced as part two of their trilogy, Libations is completely different from its predecessor. The album dropped via URB and features more emotion-driven themes, specifically memories and reflection. Zumbi explains, “This project was heavily influenced by one of my best friends passing away suddenly. His death put me in a mood to really analyze my life and how short this existence really can be. It opened my eyes and heart to both the ugliness and beauty of what we experience while alive.” Hence, Libations broods with reflection and deep emotion. “To me, libation is when you honor someone by pouring out your brew before you sip, its a sort of prayer. On this EP, I poured out some liquor for my homie, as well as my family, and myself.” The EP features production from AMP Live, Headnodic, and newcomer Featherload, along with rappers Mr. Lif, Sadat X, and Opio of Souls of Mischief.
This Saturday, those in Santa Cruz and beyond can be a part of Bay Area musical history, as the Zion I crew will be recording a live album at The Catalyst. This is the first performance of a tour that extends through the month of October, as the group will be hitting several U.S. and Canada cities. The tour concludes on Halloween night, as they’ll be celebrating with their Hella Fresh Fest in Oakland alongside Grieves and Dizzy Wright. Tickets for all shows are available here.
Watch “Get Urs”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVAogyc_vL0
Read XXL’s premiere here: http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2014/10/zion-i-get-urs-video/
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/playlists/31003779″ 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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“Get Urs”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVAogyc_vL0
Libations: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/sets/libations-ep
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