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.
Critical
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo checkout the superb tech
Cashin' checks through dialect
Doper than the gold around your neck
This is my manuscript to spit lyrics like fat spliffs
I show the whole damn world my gift
For Paris I'm speakin' upon
Powerful just like a pod
Focus like militant deep as concentrational caverns
Devising secret plans on spitting atoms
I verbalize
Lust to bust
Just as dangerous
As watching Mt. Vesuvius erupt
Corrupt a data disk
From the super soul powered slums
I-N-I, Planet Asia make it bump, bump
I'm deep off in the trunk
SWATS call it crunk
The 15 inch woofers make the beat go thump
I dump clips of pros ? goes
The chillin' is killin' with the illest type flows
[Hook]
"Rap legends presidents felt" -> Nas 'Nas is Like'
"Put us together" -> Mobb Deep 'Survival of the Fittest'
"The outcome is Critical" -> GZA/Genius
"Set it off" -> Jeru The Damaja 'Mental Stamina'
[Zion I]
Yo, vocally blessed to beat you into submission
I paddle units which protrude from the underside of trains
Do not touch I'm high voltage
Like the third electric
Emergency phones needed in every tunnel for the murder method
You're dealing with the armed forces
We wave warm torches
Through the trenches of the onslaughtness
? up next
I'm anticipated post my plan is to stay behind my every line stated
Deluxe, eon fluctuates what I pronunciate
Cold verses be lookin' out but y'all people got months to wait
Life as it is baby, Zion I got me flyin' high
My mind's inside music symbolic to I-N-I
This ain't the Sci-Fi Channel
We true and living legends of this beat freak committee
Clash Of the Titans through the vinyl
When we splash the Atlas with the rules of the game
We out the old school and came to drop a jewel on your brain
[Hook]
[Planet Asia]
My brother hit me on the game
Said that we original man
And we manifested here to spit slang
I thought a minute, and let it sink
Deep like the Titanic
We wider than the ocean of Atlantic
Pacifical mythical styles
In the west it's gettin' wild
I'm chillin' like the Sphinx upon the Nile
Reverberating
Why is you hatin' hip hop we creatin?
Across the desert sands we be bakin'
My melanin
The key to lock rock spots and flocks
Walk the rugged avenue with my be-Boy bop
It's evolution toss a pebble at the devil and smile
I'm rebellion while propelling freestyles
[Zion I]
From the bottom to the top I made a lot of em drop
Hip hop's the lifestyle of urban civilians and even cops
No it don't stop
Once again another classic fantastic rap shit
That'll make y'all MCs wanna practice
How to lock shit down like Daddy ?
I blaze mics for days
Hit the page light stage and burn Sage
Then engage
This ain't a faze or some played out gimmick
That's worth to ? for the fact
That most of y'all cat's is timid, vivid
Views of the do and don't don't apply,
To the uncompromising Planet Asia, Zion I
Worldwide renown
Zones of the chosen few
Verbal rhymes I cipher shots to leave holes in you
[Hook]
The lyrics of Zion I's "Critical" describe the powerful and explosive nature of the rapper's lyrics. He compares his words to "fat spliffs" and "Mt. Vesuvius erupt[ing]" – both potent and intense. Zion I goes on to describe his mastery of language and his ability to spit lyrics like a professional orator, using words to craft secret plans and spitting atoms. He also references other influential rappers in the hip-hop world such as Nas, Mobb Deep, GZA/Genius, and Jeru The Damaja.
The rap goes on to describe the creative process, highlighting the power and depth of the rapper's lyrics. Zion I describes the rap as a "classic fantastic rap shit," a "lifestyle of urban civilians and even cops," and a "compelling and uncompromising" form of artistic expression. The lyrics also touch on subjects such as revolution and rebellion, with references to Blacks being the original man, and hip-hop being created as a form of resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo checkout the superb tech
I want you to hear my amazing technical skills as a rapper
Cashin' checks through dialect
I make money by using my words and rhymes
Doper than the gold around your neck
My rapping is better than the finest jewelry you wear
This is my manuscript to spit lyrics like fat spliffs
My rhymes are like thick joints, carefully crafted and powerful
I show the whole damn world my gift
I want people all over the world to hear my talent as a rapper
For Paris I'm speakin' upon
I am addressing a global audience with my words
Powerful just like a pod
My delivery is strong and impactful
Positioned in the proper placement
I am exactly where I need to be to present my skills
Focus like militant deep as concentrational caverns
I am completely focused, like a soldier in battle
Devising secret plans on spitting atoms
I am constantly thinking about how I can improve my rhymes
I verbalize
I express myself through words
Lust to bust
I have a strong desire to succeed in the rap game
Just as dangerous
My rhymes are as powerful and impactful as a natural disaster
As watching Mt. Vesuvius erupt
My rhymes are like a volcanic eruption, wild and unstoppable
Corrupt a data disk
I can destroy any competition in my path
From the super soul powered slums
I come from poverty and hardship, but my soul is still strong
I-N-I, Planet Asia make it bump, bump
My collaborations with other rappers are always high-energy and exciting
I'm deep off in the trunk
I am fully committed to the rap game
SWATS call it crunk
People in the South call my style 'crunk'
The 15 inch woofers make the beat go thump
My music has a powerful, bass-heavy sound
I dump clips of pros ? goes
I use my rhymes like bullets to take down any competition
The chillin' is killin' with the illest type flows
My laid-back attitude in life is just a cover for the intense rap skills I possess
Yo, vocally blessed to beat you into submission
My voice is a weapon that can defeat my opponents
I paddle units which protrude from the underside of trains
I am so powerful that I can control the machinery around me
Do not touch I'm high voltage
I am electrifying and dangerous
Like the third electric
My power is limitless and unstoppable
Emergency phones needed in every tunnel for the murder method
My rhymes are so deadly that safety precautions need to be taken
You're dealing with the armed forces
I am a rapper with incredible power and strength
We wave warm torches
I am a leader in the rap community, guiding others towards success
Through the trenches of the onslaughtness
I have faced many challenges and obstacles in my career, but I have not given up
? up next
I am the next big thing in the rap game
I'm anticipated post my plan is to stay behind my every line stated
My fans are eagerly anticipating my next moves, and I plan to deliver with every verse
Deluxe, eon fluctuates what I pronunciate
My rap style is constantly changing and evolving
Cold verses be lookin' out but y'all people got months to wait
My rhymes are so cool and fresh that it takes time for people to fully appreciate them
Life as it is baby, Zion I got me flyin' high
My success in music has allowed me to live my dreams
My mind's inside music symbolic to I-N-I
My life revolves completely around hip-hop and my artistic expression
This ain't the Sci-Fi Channel
My music is real and authentic, not some made-up fantasy
We true and living legends of this beat freak committee
My fellow rappers and I are respected leaders in the genre of hip hop
Clash of the Titans through the vinyl
My collaborations with other rappers are legendary and highly regarded
When we splash the Atlas with the rules of the game
My music has a global impact and influences the entire rap community
We out the old school and came to drop a jewel on your brain
My rap style is innovative and fresh, and I want to share my knowledge and wisdom with my listeners
My brother hit me on the game
A fellow rapper reached out to me with a message
Said that we original man
We are rappers with unique and authentic voices
And we manifested here to spit slang
Our purpose in life is to express ourselves through the art of hip hop
I thought a minute, and let it sink
I took time to contemplate the message that was given to me
Deep like the Titanic
The message had a profound impact on me
We wider than the ocean of Atlantic
Our rhymes have a global reach and influence
Pacifical mythical styles
Our rapping style is magical, with incredible power and impact
In the west it's gettin' wild
The rap scene in our part of the world is becoming more intense and exciting
I'm chillin' like the Sphinx upon the Nile
I am relaxed and confident, like a powerful and ancient Egyptian statue
Reverberating
My words and rhymes have a lasting impact
Why is you hatin' hip hop we creatin'?
Why do you hate on our music? We are creating great art
Across the desert sands we be bakin'
We are out here, working hard, making great music
My melanin
My skin color and heritage are important to my identity
The key to lock rock spots and flocks
My unique voice and style are powerful tools for success in the rap game
Walk the rugged avenue with my be-Boy bop
I move confidently and stylishly through the rough world of hip hop
It's evolution toss a pebble at the devil and smile
Our style is constantly evolving and changing, and we are confident in spite of any adversity we face
I'm rebellion while propelling freestyles
My rapping is an act of rebellion against societal norms, and I do it with style and creativity
From the bottom to the top I made a lot of em drop
I have fought my way to success in the rap game, taking down my competition along the way
Hip hop's the lifestyle of urban civilians and even cops
The culture of hip hop is pervasive throughout urban communities, even among law enforcement
No it don't stop
I am unstoppable and will continue to succeed
Once again another classic fantastic rap shit
My latest work is a masterpiece of rap music
That'll make y'all MCs wanna practice
My rhymes are so good that they will inspire other rappers to work harder
How to lock shit down like Daddy ?
My rap style is so commanding and confident that it is like a father figure taking charge
I blaze mics for days
I am constantly performing and making great music
Hit the page light stage and burn Sage
My performances are electrifying and unforgettable
Then engage
I am always ready for battle, whether in the rap game or in life
This ain't a faze or some played out gimmick
My success in the rap game is real and authentic, not just a trend or marketing ploy
That's worth to ? for the fact
My success is based on hard work and talent, not just luck or chance
That most of y'all cat's is timid, vivid
Many other rappers are afraid to take risks or be innovative in their music
Views of the do and don't don't apply,
I am not restricted by conventional rules or norms in the rap game
To the uncompromising Planet Asia, Zion I
My fellow rapper and I are unyielding and uncompromising in our artistic vision
Worldwide renown
I am famous and respected all over the world
Zones of the chosen few
Only a select group of rappers are truly great and respected
Verbal rhymes I cipher shots to leave holes in you
My words and rhymes are like bullets, striking down my competition with ease
"Rap legends presidents felt" -> Nas 'Nas is Like'
This line is a reference to a famous lyric from another rapper's song
"Put us together" -> Mobb Deep 'Survival of the Fittest'
This line is a reference to a famous lyric from another rapper's song
"The outcome is Critical" -> GZA/Genius
This line is a reference to a famous lyric from another rapper's song
"Set it off" -> Jeru The Damaja 'Mental Stamina'
This line is a reference to a famous lyric from another rapper's song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Truman
RIP Zumbi. This song is the epitome of hip hop, always been one of my favorites
Nuineb Ziaweet
EPITOME.
G ROC
I just heard Damn R.I.P🙏
Dre.47_Official
FOR REAL. RIP KING ZUMBI 🙏❤
Allan Gray
I just doubled back, trying to teach my youngest about what a real lyricist sounds like. RIP indeed.
showg0
I saw him and the grouch turn it up one year in SxSw…. Made Talib Kweli look like he wasn’t the main set! Zion I and grouch made that crowd for Talib… it was a night to remember.
J Rob
I can honestly say this album helped make me the man I am today. Blessed to have heard it…RIP to my brotha
Anthony Truman
Also forever grateful for this music
Chess Match
An absolutely perfect song. It actually uplifts my mood.
Fresh Northwest
Rest easy Zion, hearing he passed away really hit me hard cause i grew up repping Zion I to the fullest and i repped Zion's solo music too.