After signing with independent label Ground Control Records, the duo released their debut single "Inner Light" in 1998, along with their debut EP Starship. In 1999, they released their next single "Critical" featuring Planet Asia, and another EP, Chapter 4. Their debut album Mind Over Matter finally surfaced in 2000. The effort was one of the most critically acclaimed underground albums of the year, and was nominated for Independent Album of the Year by The Source Magazine. AmpLive's futuristic production techniques and Zumbi's strong and substantial lyrical content were a major hit with underground Hip Hop fans.
Zion I recorded a second album titled Deep Water Slang, set for release in 2002, but their label went under and the album disappeared. They prepared a second version, Deep Water Slang V2.0, which was released in early 2003. Music videos were shot for the songs "The Drill", "Finger Paint", "Boom Bip" and "Le Le Le", giving them the most exposure of their career. Zion I started their own record label, Live Up Records, in 2003, and released a mixtape titled Curb Servin. In 2004, the duo released a compilation titled Politicks, and another mixtape, Family Business, which served as a prelude to their anticipated third album. They were featured along with Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Haiku D'Etat on the CD/DVD Calicomm 2004.
True & Livin' was released in early 2005, featuring guest appearances from popular underground artists like Talib Kweli, Aesop Rock, Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Gift of Gab. The album featured the single "The Bay," became a West Coast/College Radio hit, and featured a music video. The remix of "The Bay" earned the group its first significant commercial radio play in the San Francisco Bay area. The remix, and later projects, represent a concerted effort to reach hyphy audiences, by collaborating with artists such as Turf Talk, San Quinn, and Mistah F.A.B..
The duo's fifth album is a collaboration project with Living Legends member The Grouch, titled Heroes in the City of Dope, and was released on October 10, 2006. This fifth album was again highly critically acclaimed, and gained the talented band more artistic respect.
Their song "Spinning" was included in the soundtrack of the movie Grandma's Boy.
Zion I's song "Go Hard" was the feature song in popular video game NBA Live 10.
Caged Bird Part 1
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
Searching for a better world
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
Yeah, this is for my caged birds
Who's fighting just like me
Daily and nightly, so beyond getting icy
But we don't care, keep my mind up there
High above all the noise and pollution, the shootin'
The robbin' and lootin' and the mind prostitution
Got a problem sucker that y'all can't solve
Looking deep into my mirror, let the thoughts revolve
Like we're an orbit on the dark side of the moon
I can't ignore it the second coming probably soon
Everyday, as I lay, getting tuned with the boom the pain relief is too coon, check this out of my room
But my mind go free so the galaxy blooms
Like my momma told me pray to the greatest of jews
Picture me, rolling out, I'm holding, take control of the script
Off my back spread my wings, my spirit can live (live live live..)
Searching for a better world
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
Searching for a better world
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
Ah, a voice rang in the emptiness
The helplesss moan of wings that were never spread
My song brings the evidence
Allowing me to sing what was never said
Parrots look down on the pidgeons who
Comb the streets for old trash to eat
But my head's up I strut through this bitch cause
My beak doesn't repeat my masters speech
My feathers are your scholars ink pen
They held their natives decorate their big men
I represent strength and wisdom and even you can see freedom ring when my wings spread
What is it about you that you have to capture
That what you can not master
If you can't grasp it you attack it, trap it, slam it in a cage and latch it
Everyday that you hold me in bars is another day I can't teach your soul to soar
Here both of us are, link to this song - and when you hear a caged bird, sing along!
Searching for a better world
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
Searching for a better world
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
The lyrics to Zion I's "Caged Bird Part 1" touch on themes of oppression, perseverance, and hope. The search for a better world is viewed as a serious endeavor, "this is not a game," and the struggle for freedom is likened to that of a caged bird. The song speaks directly to those who feel trapped or constrained in their lives, urging them to keep their minds above the chaos and noise of the world. The imagery of being on the dark side of the moon adds to the feeling of being isolated and far from what is hoped for. The juxtaposition of "mind prostitution" and praying to the "greatest of Jews" emphasizes the struggle between negativity and positivity, challenging the listener to choose which path they will take in their own search for a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
Searching for a better world
Looking for a world that is better than the one we have
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
This is not something to joke about or take lightly
Yeah, this is for my caged birds
This is for people who feel trapped or oppressed
Who's fighting just like me
People who are struggling and fighting similar battles as the artist
Daily and nightly, so beyond getting icy
Working hard day and night, not concerned with being cool or popular
It's likely we'll never get out here
There may be little hope of escaping difficult circumstances
But we don't care, keep my mind up there
Despite the odds, we remain optimistic and focused on higher goals
High above all the noise and pollution, the shootin'
Above the chaos and violence in the world
The robbin' and lootin' and the mind prostitution
The theft, looting, and manipulation of people's minds
Got a problem sucker that y'all can't solve
There is a problem that others can't solve or understand
Looking deep into my mirror, let the thoughts revolve
Reflecting on oneself and letting thoughts flow freely
Like we're an orbit on the dark side of the moon
Feeling isolated and far away from the rest of the world
I can't ignore it the second coming probably soon
Not being able to ignore the signs of change that may be coming
Everyday, as I lay, getting tuned with the boom the pain relief is too coon, check this out of my room
Finding solace in music and blocking out the negative aspects of the world
But my mind go free so the galaxy blooms
When the mind is freed, it can create and grow like a galaxy
Like my momma told me pray to the greatest of jews
Advice given to the artist by their mother to pray to a higher power for guidance
Picture me, rolling out, I'm holding, take control of the script
Imagining oneself taking control of their own life and destiny
Off my back spread my wings, my spirit can live (live live live..)
Breaking free from oppression and allowing the spirit to thrive
Ah, a voice rang in the emptiness
A voice is heard in the silence or emptiness
The helplesss moan of wings that were never spread
The sound of wings that were never allowed to soar
My song brings the evidence
The artist's music provides proof of their experiences and struggles
Allowing me to sing what was never said
Giving the artist a voice to express things that were previously unspoken
Parrots look down on the pidgeons who
Those in positions of power or privilege may look down upon those without it
Comb the streets for old trash to eat
Struggling to survive by any means necessary
But my head's up I strut through this bitch cause
Despite the struggles, the artist remains confident and strong
My beak doesn't repeat my masters speech
The artist does not conform or submit to those who try to control them
My feathers are your scholars ink pen
The artist's experiences and struggles can teach others and inspire change
They held their natives decorate their big men
Trophies are given to those in power to show off their successes
I represent strength and wisdom and even you can see freedom ring when my wings spread
The artist embodies strength and wisdom, and freedom is evident when they rise above oppression
What is it about you that you have to capture
Why do people always try to control and capture what they cannot understand or possess?
That what you can not master
People try to control what they cannot completely control
If you can't grasp it you attack it, trap it, slam it in a cage and latch it
If you cannot understand something, you may resort to trying to control it
Everyday that you hold me in bars is another day I can't teach your soul to soar
Every day the artist is oppressed is a day they cannot inspire change or teach others to rise above their own oppression
Here both of us are, link to this song - and when you hear a caged bird, sing along!
The artist and the listener are both oppressed in some way, and this song can bring them together to inspire change
Searching for a better world
Looking for a world that is better than the one we have
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
This is not something to joke about or take lightly
Searching for a better world
Looking for a world that is better than the one we have
This ain't no game (this is not a game)
This is not something to joke about or take lightly
Contributed by Keira A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.