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.
How Many
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How many times have you looked deep into your lovers eyes
how many times have we spit phat rhymes
how many times
how many times
yo
how many rhymes would it take
just for you to relate
how many a pretty penny I would guess
non the less
??? he's got us all desensitized under stress
how many tales of whore shore to shore
before the last days is here that for shore
how many days before we get more mature
and brothers with babies take care of there ladies
how many mics get crushed blown to dust
before we discover the true power within us
yo
how many times can we rhyme about the same thing
before we realize stand up we got to change things
how many times have you seen the sun set
how many times has your ass been in debt
how many times have you bumped our cassete?
how many times
how many times
yo
how many times do the seasons turn for babaloyn
burn this is my own concern to carry on
traditional listen yo
how many brothers tears have shed
by my people for over four hundred years
how many times have you lied cheated acted conceited
didn't needed you want it
how many times runnin
how many scars and cuts
bruises from the battle from those who got beef
how many ever seen cattle
killed in cold blood
so you can eat it up0
how much more till somebody says that's enough
how many times have you watched a full moon?
how many times have you cried alone in your room
how many times have you felt the bass boom?
how many times
how many times
yo
how many more of the hardcore rappers and gun clappers
gotta die before we realize ??zion i??
how many change in shadows
how much came in tobacco
how many bottles of 40 oz
death can we tackle
how many at the chapple
how many will be saved with fires rage
surface of earth is getting blazed
how many cause everyones got ??an opinion??
this is shit to zion crew expresses um
how many times has a baby been born
how many times has lightening stuck in a storm
how many times has your work been bought
how many times
how many times
yo how many times
*scratching*
how many live in the projects
how many have sex
before they fell in love
how many people forget
where they came from
i seen some people that lost
how many brothers get accused and hung on the cross
how many children get neglected
how many get raised
in the land of the empty
the home of the slaves
how many times can we rhyme about the same thing
before we realize stand up we got to change things
how many times has the sky dropped rain
how many times has your heart felt pain
how many times mastered again and again
how many times
how many times
how many times have you seen the sun rise
how many times you looked into your lovers eyes
how many times have we spit phat rhymes
how many times
how many times
how many times have you seen the sun set
how many times has your ass been in debt
how many times have you bumped our cassete?
how many times *fades out*
how many times
how many times have you watched a full moon?
how many times have you cried alone in your room
The lyrics to Zion I's song "How Many" reflect on various aspects of life and the struggles that come with it. The song highlights how many times one has experienced some of the most beautiful and painful moments in life - watching sunrises and sunsets, deepening connections with loved ones, feeling the bass boom, and shedding tears in solitude. It also questions the societal norms that allow a police state to exist, the desensitization to violence, and the inequalities seen in the treatment of marginalized groups. The lyrics discuss the need for change and wonder how many times we must rhyme about the same issues before taking action.
Overall, the song challenges listeners to reflect on their experiences and the current state of the world around them. It provides a commentary on the struggles that come with modern society and highlights the need for change through thoughtful self-reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you watched the sun rise
Reflect on how many times you have witnessed a new beginning, a chance to start anew.
How many times have you looked deep into your lovers eyes
Contemplate how many moments you've had to truly connect with someone you care about.
how many times have we spit phat rhymes
Consider the amount of times we've expressed ourselves through hip-hop and spoken word poetry.
yo
A break in the lyrics, perhaps signaling a change in tone or subject matter.
how many rhymes would it take / just for you to relate / and understand that we're livin in a police state
Questioning how many lyrically crafted lines are needed to bring attention to the over-policing and realities of living in a society with constant surveillance.
how many a pretty penny I would guess / non the less / ??? he's got us all desensitized under stress
Musing about the cost of the current state of affairs, and how it has stripped us of our empathy and caused chronic stress.
how many tales of whore shore to shore / before the last days is here that for shore
Asking how many stories of sex workers and exploitation must be shared before society decides to address and end such imbalances.
how many days before we get more mature / and brothers with babies take care of there ladies
Wondering when society will shift toward more responsible and respectful relationships, where men prioritize taking care of their families.
how many mics get crushed blown to dust / before we discover the true power within us
Pondering how many microphones will be used and broken by powerful performers before more people recognize their own power to create change.
how many times can we rhyme about the same thing / before we realize stand up we got to change things
Contemplating how many repetitions it will take to realize that action must be taken to make a difference.
how many times has your ass been in debt
Reflect on the number of times you've been in financial trouble or owed money.
how many times have you bumped our cassete?
How many moments have you listened to our music, and how does that connect to your own experiences?
yo
Another break in the lyrics, signaling a change in subject matter or tone.
how many times do the seasons turn for babaloyn / burn this is my own concern to carry on / traditional listen yo
Reflecting on the passing of seasons and embracing traditional ways of life, while acknowledging one's own concerns.
how many brothers tears have shed / by my people for over four hundred years
Recalling the many struggles and tears shed by black people over centuries of oppression and violence.
how many times have you lied cheated acted conceited / didn't needed you want it
How many times have you acted in ways that might be considered wrong or hurtful to others.
how many scars and cuts / bruises from the battle from those who got beef / how many ever seen cattle killed in cold blood / so you can eat it up
Drawing attention to the violence involved in meat production, and how it contrasts with the violence we inflict on each other.
how much more till somebody says that's enough
Asking when society will finally have enough of the violence and struggle, and finally enforce change.
how many times have you watched a full moon?
Reflecting on the number of times one has witnessed the moon at its full phase.
how many times have you cried alone in your room
Considering how many moments of sadness and hardship one has faced alone.
how many times have you felt the bass boom?
Recalling the many moments where music has stirred one's soul or resonated deeply.
how many more of the hardcore rappers and gun clappers / gotta die before we realize ??zion i??
Questioning why so many rappers are met with violence and death, and why this reality hasn't resulted in greater change.
how many cause everyones got ??an opinion?? / this is shit to zion crew expresses um
Noting the importance of sharing one's perspective, even when the opinions of others might differ.
how many times has a baby been born
Considering the enormous number of human life brought into the world every day.
how many times has lightening stuck in a storm
Reflecting on the small but powerful moments of nature, where lightning strikes amidst a tumultuous storm.
how many times has your work been bought
Musing on the amount of times one's creative work has been purchased or supported.
how many live in the projects / how many have sex / before they fell in love / how many people forget / where they came from
Calling attention to the struggles and challenges faced by people living in impoverished neighborhoods, where people are often forced to compromise their own values and ideals.
how many brothers get accused and hung on the cross
Recalling the countless number of black men who have been unfairly accused and executed throughout history.
how many times can we rhyme about the same thing / before we realize stand up we got to change things
Drawing attention once again to the importance of action and change in the face of pervasive challenges and issues.
how many times has the sky dropped rain
Reflecting on the many occasions when the sky has opened up with a refreshing and vital rainfall.
how many times has your heart felt pain
Musing on the numerous times one has felt emotional pain, hardship or heartbreak.
how many times mastered again and again
Reflecting on the numerous moments of practice, mastery and self-improvement in life.
how many times
A repeated question phrase, that follow the contemplation of various life experiences and struggles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUBA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind