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.
Finger Paint
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Color to stimulate ya
Rise relate ya
Passin' over nature
Rhymes to break ya take ya
Up to the maker
Away from the pain we feeling safer
Written in red, green, black trimmed with gold
We've been in war,
Hey man we've seen it all before
Got you feelin' the fundamentals of flow
Toe-to-toe holla battle
Creepin' bout the shadow
??? bring a barage of marshmellow, yellow
Burbs and words curse slip style mellow
Zion the lion hearted fellow, bellow
Fingerpaint, you can hold the weight
When the mind is great let the soul create
Evaporate like I'm water when I change my state
Mindscape to the next levitate, (tate)
Breaking all the shit that I don't want to hold
Making all the song words inside me flow
Sowin all the seeds that can make me grow
And I'm breathin, I'm breathin slow
Breaking all the shit that I don't want to hold
Making all the song words inside me flow
Sowing all the seeds that can make me grow
And I'm breathin, I'm breathin slow
Breath in, out.....
Feel my fingerpaint as the world spins
Let my fingerpaint cleanse your sins
My fingers paintin all colors on your skin
See my reflection in my brother my twin
I'm sparkin a light to your soul deep within
You can hear the echo when I drop my pin
The children hold hands under the rainbow
Everywhere we go we bring the same flow
Feel my fingerpaint on my parabola
Supernovas, nebula's satellites
My fingers paintin all over the mic
My fingers paintin lightning when it strikes
Bring down the rain, release the pain
Master the craft to die and rise again
My fingers paint across all terrain
My fingerpaint penetrate your brain...
Breaking all the shit that I don't want to hold
Making all the song words inside me flow
Sowin all the seeds that can make me grow
And I'm breathin, I'm breathin slow
Breaking all the shit that I don't want to hold
Making all the song words inside me flow
Sowing all the seeds that can make me grow
And I'm breathin, I'm breathin slow
Breaking all the shit that I don't want to hold
Making all the song words inside me flow
Sowing all the seeds that can make me grow
And I'm breathin, I'm breathin slow
In "Finger Paint" by Zion I, the artist provides a refreshing take on hip-hop as a medium of artistic expression. The song starts by urging the listener to feel the finger paint with which the world is painted. The color that stimulates the listener has a unifying force to rise and relate to each other. The lyrics paint a picture of a world that is suffering from pain and war, but there is always hope for redemption. The lines, "The liberator rectifies the soul/ Written in red, green, black trimmed with gold," indicate that there is liberation through art and that the art itself is the instrument of change.
The song goes on to talk about the power of rhyme and that it has the potential to take people to the maker, away from the pain, and towards safety. The finger paint is used as a tool to make a connection with one's soul; it is through this connection that growth is possible. The lyrics remind listeners that one must let go of the burdens they carry and focus on the essentials of life. Finger paint stands symbolizing the art that allows people to tackle issues and overcome them collectively.
Overall, the song is an ode to the power of art, and its effect on the human mind and spirit. It is a song that pushes the listener to engage with art and not only consume it but become an active participant in creating it with a view to creating a better world.
**Interesting facts about the song Finger Paint:**
* The song was released in 2000 and appears on the album Mind Over Matter.
* The track was produced by Amp Live, who is known for his work with the Grammy-winning duo, "Zion I".
* The album Mind Over Matter was nominated for Best Rap Album at the California Music Awards.
* Zion I is made up of two members, MC Zumbi and producer Amp Live.
* The group was formed in Oakland, California, in 1996.
* Finger Paint has been sampled in other music projects, such as on the Los Angeles Lakers promotional video for the 2017-2018 season.
* Zion I is considered one of the driving forces behind the conscious hip-hop movement.
* The group has released over 20 albums over a span of 20+ years.
* Zion I has collaborated with several big names in the hip-hop industry, including Damian Marley, Too Short, and Grouch & Eligh.
* In a 2008 interview, MC Zumbi stated that he wanted Zion I's music to be a form of activism without being overtly political.
**Chords:**
The chords for Finger Paint are unavailable as the song was made using keyboard instrumentation, and it’s challenging to translate those sounds onto guitar chords due to the complicated sound profile of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel my fingerpaint
Experience my art and creativity.
Color to stimulate ya
My art is meant to evoke emotions and sensations in you.
Rise relate ya
My art is meant to inspire and connect us to each other.
Passin' over nature
My art transcends the natural world and explores the spiritual realm.
Rhymes to break ya take ya
My lyrics break through your barriers and take you on a journey.
Up to the maker
My lyrics take you to the divine creator and inspire introspection.
Away from the pain we feeling safer
My music provides a safe space away from the pain and struggles of life.
The liberator rectify the soul
I see myself as a liberator who can help heal and improve the soul.
Written in red, green, black trimmed with gold
My art is a beautiful and colorful creation with a touch of luxury.
We've been in war,
I acknowledge the struggles and adversities we face as a society.
Hey man we've seen it all before
Despite the challenges, we have the strength and resilience to overcome them.
Got you feelin' the fundamentals of flow
My music connects you to the essence and core of human expression.
Toe-to-toe holla battle
I am ready to face any challenge or conflict with confidence.
Creepin' bout the shadow
I acknowledge the darker aspects of life and human nature.
??? bring a barage of marshmellow, yellow
I bring a playful and upbeat spirit to my music.
Burbs and words curse slip style mellow
I use my words to create a smooth and laid-back sound.
Zion the lion hearted fellow, bellow
I see myself as a strong and courageous leader who can inspire others.
Fingerpaint, you can hold the weight
My art can be both light and playful, and deep and meaningful.
When the mind is great let the soul create
When you are in a good mental state, you can tap into your creativity and spiritual side.
Evaporate like I'm water when I change my state
I can change and transform like water, and leave behind what no longer serves me.
Mindscape to the next levitate, (tate)
My music can take you to higher levels of consciousness and awareness.
Breaking all the shit that I don't want to hold
I am releasing negative thoughts and emotions through my art.
Making all the song words inside me flow
My lyrics come from within and flow naturally.
Sowin all the seeds that can make me grow
I am planting the seeds of growth and creativity through my music.
And I'm breathin, I'm breathin slow
I find peace and calmness in creating and sharing my art.
Feel my fingerpaint as the world spins
My art is a reflection of the dynamic and ever-changing world we live in.
Let my fingerpaint cleanse your sins
My art can bring a sense of purity and renewal.
My fingers paintin all colors on your skin
My art can touch people of all backgrounds and cultures.
See my reflection in my brother my twin
We are all connected and share a common humanity.
I'm sparkin a light to your soul deep within
My art has the power to ignite a spark of inspiration and motivation in others.
You can hear the echo when I drop my pin
My words have a lasting impact and can resonate with people long after they hear them.
The children hold hands under the rainbow
My music brings people together in a spirit of unity and hope.
Everywhere we go we bring the same flow
My art is consistent and always maintains its unique style and vision.
Feel my fingerpaint on my parabola
My art is like a curve that reaches for the sky and never stops growing.
Supernovas, nebula's satellites
My art is expansive and cosmic, reaching far beyond the physical world.
My fingers paintin all over the mic
My music can be felt and heard in every corner of the world.
My fingers paintin lightning when it strikes
My art can be powerful and electrifying, like a bold bolt of lightning.
Bring down the rain, release the pain
My art can be cathartic and help people let go of their pain and struggles.
Master the craft to die and rise again
I am committed to perfecting my art and continuously reinventing myself.
My fingers paint across all terrain
My art can travel freely and adapt to any environment or situation.
My fingerpaint penetrate your brain...
My art can deeply affect and influence people's thoughts and emotions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANTHONY ANDERSON, STEPHEN GAINES, SUSIE SUH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fresh Northwest
I remember being so excited for this CD to drop! I feel like it was yesterday! i can still feel that excitement when i listen to the album... Rest easy Zumbi, your music will live forever.
undertakr
I fucking rocked this shit a decade ago in high school. Some kids put this track on the other day and my mind blew up. I fucking love this guy.
Adrien Laviolette
I get chills when i hear this song. sooooo good :D :D :D
Slyestcat
This is some good music, way better then some of the tracks today.
T Chris
this is real fuckin hip hop, I feel all the emotions they put out in this song.
Mooseknuckle
Damn didnt even know they had a vevo lol love this song:)
GENETIK-INFINITE
Rest Easy G. Legend.
Donny Steelhead
How has this only got 31k views, i've probably listened to it more than that.
TheMagicKong
i seen them live in Washington state live there pretty good.
AudioCentrix
Zion the Lion Hearted Fellow. Bellow!