“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 announced that they will be touring the United States in February and March of next year with Los Rakas and Vokab Kompany to promote forthcoming releases. Sponsored by HipHopDX, the California indie hip-hop duo will start the US leg of The Rapture Tour next year to promote their live album, The Rapture and the third installment of their free EP trilogy series. The Sun, Moon, and Stars EP will follow the release of first two EPs in the series The Masters of Ceremony and Libations. Tickets for the tour can be purchased here.
In addition to the tour the duo recently released their latest loosie “Unity” commenting on the Ferguson, MO protests and subsequent murder of unarmed teen Michael Brown. The track speaks on unjust racial violence and how we must seek another solution beyond hoping for the oppression to cease. Zion I states that “It is up to us to unify within ourselves and shape the world around us as we see fit.”
After releasing two dozen projects spanning 20 years, the duo has been embraced as an Oakland, California mainstay, known for their advanced lyrical deliveries, otherworldly electronic beats, and a cohesive back-to-the-future musical package unlike any others in the space. With a style that borrows from hip-hop, trance, drum’n’bass, and reggae, Zion I’s unique sound has cultivated a rabid fan base who keeps them constantly on the road. Following the US leg of the tour, Zion I will go on to continue The Rapture Tour in Europe in early 2015.
Listen to “Unity”: https://soundcloud.com/
Buy Libations EP on iTunes: http://bit.ly/1HZQH98
Listen to Libations EP: https://soundcloud.com/therealzioni/sets/libations-ep
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Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Zion I.
“It’s interesting where we are right now,” says Zion I co-founder Zumbi. “I’m so firmly into hip-hop, and Amp is into so many other genres. Somehow it just works.” For over 20 years, Zumbi and Amp Live have made music together, celebrating a juxtaposition of influences, with a shared message to preserve the art of music. After two dozen releases, spanning albums, EPs, mixtapes and collaborative projects, Zion I has been embraced as an Oakland, California mainstay, known for advanced lyrical deliveries, otherworldly electronic beats, and a cohesive back-to-the-future musical package unlike any others in the space.
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“Unity”: https://soundcloud.com/
“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