Zion I was a hip-hop duo from Oakland, California, USA, consisting of the l… Read Full Bio ↴Zion I was a hip-hop duo from Oakland, California, USA, consisting of the late MC Zumbi and producer AmpLive . The group is known to its followers for Amp's futuristic production techniques, using a mix of live instrumentation and samples, and Zumbi's positive and socially conscious lyrics. Zion I debuted in 1997 with the locally distributed cassette-only EP Enter the Woods. Their first single on Indie label Ground Control Records ("Inner Light") paved the way for an album deal and in 2000, they released the critically acclaimed Mind Over Matter. In total, they have released six studio albums, 2000's Mind Over Matter, 2003's Deep Water Slang V2.0, 2005's True & Livin', 2006's Break a Dawn (a Japan exclusive), also in 2006 an album with The Grouch, Heroes in the City of Dope, 2009's The Take Over, 2010's Atomic Clock, and their newest collaborative album with The Grouch, 'Heroes in the Healing of the Nation'.

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.

Geek to the Beat
Zion I Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You over civilized
Trapped in your suit and tie
You should relax a little
You should check out my riddle
Please don't apologize
So scary all the time
Relax your body let them --808s-- take your mind
You way too watered down

I need it uncut
Don't play it flaccid Babylon'll have you fucked up
I'd rather rabble rouse
Too scared to shut your mouth?
My feet be on the couch
Like it's my mama house
She's trying to kick me out
I kicks a lot of dust
We from the WESTSIDE
Where it's murder plus
So call me Cerebus
Up out that other city
Where we don't see no pity
Relax and kick it with me

Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat, geek, geek to the beat
Geek, geek to the beat and it's time to get down

Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat, geek, geek to the beat
Geek, geek to the beat and it's time to get down

My crew we walk around
Like bones is in our noses
We stop to smell the roses
Don't trip I'm way too focused
You just a happy junkie
Starbucks and life is lovely
Addicted to a comfort zone I'm gone! Way too muddy
Deep in a pot of grits
He busy writing hits
You searching through a catalogue trying to cop a fit
Oh what a trendy shit
They write them to a beat
You'll never catch me in this jeep without a verse that's heat
I'm such a savage dude
When I'm compared to you
Give me an obstacle I'm guaranteed I'll battle through
Now what would Jesus do?
He'd give you lifelines
And so I flow all of my rhymes from my right mind

Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat, geek, geek to the beat
Geek, geek to the beat and it's time to get down

Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Geek to the beat and it's time to get down

Geek to the beat, geek, geek to the beat
Geek, geek to the beat and it's time to get down

Overall Meaning

The song "Geek to the Beat" by Zion I criticizes the over-civilized, conformist culture that values conformity and materialism over individuality and creativity. The song speaks to people who are stuck in a life of monotony and routine, trapped in the "suit and tie" of corporate culture. The lyrics urge these individuals to relax, let go of their fears, and let themselves go "geek to the beat" by embracing their inner nerdiness and individuality.

The use of the term "geek" in the title of the song is significant. Traditionally, the term "geek" has been used to describe someone who is socially awkward, interested in niche topics, and generally uncool. However, the song flips this notion on its head and encourages listeners to embrace their unique interests and quirks. In doing so, it challenges the mainstream definition of what it means to be "cool" or "normal."

Line by Line Meaning

You over civilized
You are too uptight and removed from your natural instincts.

Trapped in your suit and tie
You are constricted by societal norms and expectations.

You should relax a little
You would benefit from releasing some of your tension and stress.

You should check out my riddle
You should take the time to understand my perspective and ideas.

Please don't apologize
I do not expect you to feel sorry for being who you are and living your life.

So scary all the time
You are paralyzed by fear and anxiety on a regular basis.

Relax your body let them --808s-- take your mind
Relax your physical self and allow the music to transport your mind to a different state of being.

You way too watered down
You lack authenticity and originality in your actions and ideas.

I need it uncut
I prefer raw and unfiltered experiences and truths.

Don't play it flaccid Babylon'll have you fucked up
Do not be weak and complacent or society will take advantage of you.

I'd rather rabble rouse
I prefer to stir up trouble and provoke thought and discussion.

Too scared to shut your mouth?
Are you too afraid to speak your mind and stand up for what you believe in?

My feet be on the couch
I am comfortable and at ease in my surroundings.

Like it's my mama house
I feel at home and welcomed in this space.

She's trying to kick me out
My mother figure is attempting to get me to leave and become independent.

I kicks a lot of dust
I am always on the move and causing a commotion.

We from the WESTSIDE
We come from the western side of America, which is known for its tough, urban environment.

Where it's murder plus
The danger and violence is an added element to everyday life here.

So call me Cerebus
I am a fierce and intimidating force to be reckoned with.

Up out that other city
I come from a different city or environment that is distinct from my current surroundings.

Where we don't see no pity
This other city is harsh and unforgiving, without any compassion or mercy.

Relax and kick it with me
Take a break and hang out with me, let me show you a different way of life.

My crew we walk around
I am part of a group of like-minded individuals who share my outlook and ideas.

Like bones is in our noses
Our style and appearance is unconventional and may be considered strange or off-putting.

We stop to smell the roses
We take the time to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

Don't trip I'm way too focused
Do not worry, I am fiercely determined and have a clear objective in mind.

You just a happy junkie
You are addicted to superficial pleasures and comforts that do not fulfill you in a meaningful way.

Starbucks and life is lovely
You rely on material comforts and luxuries to find happiness and fulfillment in life.

Addicted to a comfort zone I'm gone! Way too muddy
You are too attached to your current lifestyle and are unable or unwilling to venture out of your comfort zone.

Deep in a pot of grits
I am completely immersed in and focused on my work and craft.

He busy writing hits
He is actively creating popular and successful music.

You searching through a catalogue trying to cop a fit
You are looking through a catalog or selection of items, attempting to find something that fits your personal style or image.

Oh what a trendy shit
How superficial and shallow your efforts to conform to current trends and fashions are.

They write them to a beat
Artists compose their music to fit a specific rhythm and tempo.

You'll never catch me in this jeep without a verse that's heat
I will never produce or perform a piece of music that is not of the highest quality and passion.

I'm such a savage dude
I am bold and fearless, unafraid of the challenges that life may present.

When I'm compared to you
When I am held up against someone else, usually in a competition or evaluation.

Give me an obstacle I'm guaranteed I'll battle through
No matter the difficulty or challenge faced, I am confident in my ability to overcome it and emerge victorious.

Now what would Jesus do?
I pose the question of how a religious and compassionate figure would handle a particular situation or dilemma.

He'd give you lifelines
Jesus would offer guidance and support to help you through difficult times.

And so I flow all of my rhymes from my right mind
I let my creativity and intuition guide me as I compose and perform my music.

Geek to the beat and it's time to get down
Let yourself get lost in the rhythm and energy of the music.

Geek, geek to the beat
Fully embrace and enjoy the music, without any hesitation or self-consciousness.

Contributed by Isabella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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