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.
Cheeba Cheeba
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm feelin' so live and vivacious
Blessed with the ancient
The epitome of gymnastics and bombastic we blast it with such
Detail to the touch and back up the bum rush
Make 'em hush, knock 'em out flush
Shake 'em out their shoes, bad energy blues
What rules? Haven't you heard the news?
(Hey) It's the boogie man's trance advancing the expansion
Major flavor now engaged with your dancing
Crazin' raisin' up the roof curing cancers
A whole lot of problems, nobody but answers (Uh)
Gang of killers, acting like gorillas
Dropped a little math, but you still couldn't feel us
Rappers acting like drug dealers for the skrillas
The business with the trash that they claim is the realest
Rock rock man
Freak freak man
Cheeba cheeba man
So unique man
Rock rock man
Freak freak man
Cheeba cheeba man
I'm a leader
(Uh) Who shot Malcolm and put talcum on my tecs
And put the ghetto youth on a vex -
Sentence. End with a vengeance, street light presence
Wanna be king because we live like peasants
Living on a borrowed time 'till tomorrow
Pray, meditate to style like Frida Kahlo
Feeling muy cansado, then you should pucker up
Guaranteed just let the G-O-D fill your cup
(Yeah) Beneath the skies, where the mountains rise
Make the whole world wise come feel these vibes
See the problem lies behind your eyes
Don't let your time run short before your energy dies
Your persevere - is so severe
Before they - burst in here and make it worse in here
It's your worst fear, it already hurts in here
You can see clear but you can't get out of first gear
Rock rock man
Freak freak man
Cheeba cheeba man
So unique man
Rock rock man
Freak freak man
Cheeba cheeba man
I'm a leader
(Yeah) I time travel, flip it to a different channel
Grab the handle, ride it and guide it
Into your own private utopia - euphoria
Road warrior - I didn't come for Gloria
I've come as a courier to give you a note
I walked and took a plane and I sailed on a boat
They told me to tell you that we need your support
And if we don't come together then we coming up short
In the valley of dry bones I'm gone with Acey-
Along my gracy, Ju-jitsu with ponce
Scatter like mics I like a lot of types
Flight in the sights the best feeling in life
Energize I the eyes to higher heights
Pass skies where the children sing and fly their kites
I'mma see light, the sun it rise in spite
All the stress in my life, cause cousin, it's only right
The lyrics of "Cheeba Cheeba" by Zion I talk about being in a spacious and lively place, feeling blessed and energetic. The song urges people to let go of bad energy and negative vibes and dance to the beat of life. The chorus, "Rock rock man, Freak freak man, Cheeba cheeba man, So unique man, I'm a leader" emphasizes individuality and leadership. The lyrics also touch on social and historical issues, questioning the murder of Malcolm X and the treatment of ghetto youth. The song urges people to persevere and come together to make a change.
The verse "Goodness gracious, this place is so spacious, I'm feelin' so live and vivacious" refers to the positivity and lively atmosphere of the place. "Blessed with the ancient, The epitome of gymnastics and bombastic we blast it with such Detail to the touch and back up the bum rush" talks about the ancient wisdom and energy the place is imbued with. "Make 'em hush, knock 'em out flush, Shake 'em out their shoes, bad energy blues" urges people to let go of bad energy and negativity. The lines "Gang of killers, acting like gorillas, Dropped a little math, but you still couldn't feel us, Rappers acting like drug dealers for the skrillas, The business with the trash that they claim is the realest" refer to the inauthentic and destructive behavior of some rappers and urge people to question the message and motivation behind their music.
Overall, "Cheeba Cheeba" is a song about being authentic, letting go of bad energy, and coming together to create positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodness gracious, this place is so spacious
Expressing delight at the spaciousness of the environment
I'm feelin' so live and vivacious
Feeling energetic and lively
Blessed with the ancient
Having a deep appreciation for the past and traditions
The epitome of gymnastics and bombastic we blast it with such
Performing with such precision, force, and enthusiasm
Detail to the touch and back up the bum rush
Executing moves with precision and aggression
Make 'em hush, knock 'em out flush
Silencing opponents with a decisive victory
Shake 'em out their shoes, bad energy blues
Defeating opponents and making them feel inferior
What rules? Haven't you heard the news?
Challenging the established norms and expectations
It's the boogie man's trance advancing the expansion
The music has an irresistible rhythm and promotes growth
Major flavor now engaged with your dancing
The music has a rich and captivating sound that complements the dancing
Crazin' raisin' up the roof curing cancers
The music has a healing power that can cure afflictions
A whole lot of problems, nobody but answers (Uh)
Acknowledging the existence of problems but not having the solutions
Gang of killers, acting like gorillas
Referring to other rappers who boast about their power and strength
Dropped a little math, but you still couldn't feel us
Using mathematical references to express their intellectual prowess, but not being appreciated or understood by the audience
Rappers acting like drug dealers for the skrillas
Criticizing rappers who prioritize money over music and authenticity
Rock rock man
Expressing enthusiasm and support for the music
Freak freak man
Likewise, expressing enthusiasm and support for the music
Cheeba cheeba man
Referencing marijuana, which is often associated with the hip-hop culture
So unique man
Celebrating their individuality and distinctiveness
I'm a leader
Asserting their position as a trailblazer and innovator
Who shot Malcolm and put talcum on my tecs
Referencing Malcolm X and questioning the identity and motive of his assassinator
And put the ghetto youth on a vex -
Referring to the frustration and anger felt by many young people growing up in poverty and injustice
Sentence. End with a vengeance, street light presence
Serving a harsh punishment, but still having a strong and noticeable presence in the community
Wanna be king because we live like peasants
Expressing resentment and frustration towards the social and economic inequality
Living on a borrowed time 'till tomorrow
Feeling uncertain and precarious about the future
Pray, meditate to style like Frida Kahlo
Advocating for self-care and creative expression as a way to cope with the challenges of life
Feeling muy cansado, then you should pucker up
Encouraging rest and rejuvenation as a way to alleviate exhaustion
Guaranteed just let the G-O-D fill your cup
Invoking a higher power and suggesting that faith and spirituality can provide strength and comfort
Beneath the skies, where the mountains rise
Appreciating the natural beauty of the environment
Make the whole world wise come feel these vibes
Promoting the idea that their music can enlighten and inspire people from all over the world
See the problem lies behind your eyes
Suggesting that many problems stem from an individual's perspective and attitude
Don't let your time run short before your energy dies
Encouraging people to make the most of their time and to prioritize their well-being
Your persevere - is so severe
Acknowledging the strength and resilience of the listener
Before they - burst in here and make it worse in here
Anticipating negative influences and warning against them
It's your worst fear, it already hurts in here
Acknowledging the pain and vulnerability caused by those negative influences
You can see clear but you can't get out of first gear
Not being able to make progress despite understanding the situation clearly
I time travel, flip it to a different channel
Exploring different perspectives and ideas to broaden one's understanding
Grab the handle, ride it and guide it
Taking control of one's life and directing it towards their goals
Into your own private utopia - euphoria
Creating one's own ideal and joyful reality
Road warrior - I didn't come for Gloria
Asserting their toughness and determination, and dismissing superficial rewards
I've come as a courier to give you a note
Presenting themselves as a messenger with a meaningful message
They told me to tell you that we need your support
Requesting the listener's help and collaboration
And if we don't come together then we coming up short
Emphasizing the importance of unity and warning against division
In the valley of dry bones I'm gone with Acey-
Referencing a biblical passage and suggesting that they are alone in their journey
Along my gracy, Ju-jitsu with ponce
Using metaphorical language to describe their perseverance and adaptability
Scatter like mics I like a lot of types
Appreciating diversity and variety in music and people
Flight in the sights the best feeling in life
Experiencing the thrill of success and accomplishment
Energize I the eyes to higher heights
Being inspired and motivated to achieve even greater things
Pass skies where the children sing and fly their kites
Painting a vivid picture of a joyful and carefree environment
I'mma see light, the sun it rise in spite
Expressing optimism and hope for the future
All the stress in my life, cause cousin, it's only right
Acknowledging the challenges and difficulties of life, but accepting them as an inevitable part of the human experience
Contributed by Levi K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
enrico
The vibe!! Amazing!!
Tuck Everlastin
This version is way better than the one that was on album. It has a sicker vibe.
majestic294
When I was younger this is the album that first got me into hip hop. I am not sure if it's on YouTube but there is a sick remix. If anybody knows where to find the remix please let me know, thanx.
Kickrocks22
Gonna stay bumpin this tune til the break a dawn.
bcsburton
feeling...... IRIEEEEE 'MONNNNNN!!! Much respect for this music.
aldair hernandez
que buen beat
Ryan Alann Huck
This is what's up... fresh breath from the radio bs, that be hurting my chest!
Yo Hyzo
Best song ever!
Michael Johnson
real hip hop...don't hear the scratching and samples like this anymore
HAZE
Rest In Peace Zumbi 🙏🏽