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.
Mind Blow
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll take a runaway train from the reigns of shame
And focus things so my head don't hear my brain
It's how I'm seeing - keeping it even with balanced breathin
When the Zion train come it's the last one leavin
I'll be long gone, when I'm finally home
Just relaxing from the action in the danger zone
It's my rest bit, catching my breath before I exit
[Chorus:]
One time, maintain shine, chains can't bind, free your mind!
Lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla
Aiyyo one time, maintain shine, chains can't bind, free your mind!
Lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla
[Verse 2:]
Scolding sill, mellow ice grill, people keep on telling me to chill
But I know it only poetry can feel
With emotions that I mostly need to heal
It's all part feeling, strong whip black children
March through the streets with a million
Dealing with injurious, just us against us
We must bust back until they vanquished
Attack, pull over fool this is a jack
Now gimme back the fad and my bamma weed sack
My culture, every day I'm getting closer
Living it up like I'm supposed ta
Who the king ruling this? (Jah!!)
Jah the light'll never miss ya
One of these days I'm gonna kiss ya
Touch you with my lips against the cheek
Gonna hit ya, so every day I'm reading scripture
One day!
[Chorus]
Holla (holla!) holla (holla!) [x4]
Let's get steady the beat get 'eavy
When this hit you better get ready
Barricade your brain the fallout to deadly
Runaway for the 'ad the Serengeti
The good that you speak no speak of the smelly
Stink like meat gone bad brother tell me
Why you never want to call Jah from the celly?
Why you wanna never call Jah from the celly yo?
[Verse 3:]
Maybe gold, when I unload, make an ego explode uh
They be gone soon's I enter in the do' uh
We be venting unrelenting too cold uh
Fuck a white collar, sucker can't do me nada
Been in a lotta situations made it hotter
Homie but we gotta live it gotta follow
Give it then I get it, spit it make it proper
It's alright, plus my mic sound nice
Flip it, be specific, them yell dice
We fly on a gamble, try learn to handle
Ways that the days of life fade to candle
And flicker, sicker, black when the cut back
'Fore we lose track of where we at...
[Chorus x2]
The lyrics to Zion I's song "Mind Blow" talk about the struggles of the consciousness and the human condition. The first verse talks about finding a balance and maintaining it in order to avoid shame and negativity. The artist refers to a "Zion train" that he takes to escape from danger and find peace. The chorus repeats the importance of freeing one's mind and maintaining a positive outlook.
The second verse talks about the power of poetry at expressing emotions that need to be healed. The artist mentions the struggle of black people and the need to fight against oppression. While trying to live up to societal expectations, he acknowledges the difficulty of staying true to one's culture and faith. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the importance of self-liberation.
The third and final verse talks about the ego and the need to let go of material possessions. The artist asserts his independence and ability to handle difficult situations. He encourages the listener to live their life accordingly and to learn how to "handle ways that the days of life fade to candle".
Overall, "Mind Blow" is a song that encourages reflection and self-awareness. Zion I highlights the importance of freeing oneself from negativity and societal pressures, finding balance, and spreading positivity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll take a runaway train from the reigns of shame
I will escape from the control of my feelings of shame
And focus things so my head don't hear my brain
I will focus on calming myself to prevent overthinking
It's how I'm seeing - keeping it even with balanced breathin
I'm keeping my emotions balanced through breathing
When the Zion train come it's the last one leavin
When the time comes, I'll be leaving with Zion's guidance
I'll be long gone, when I'm finally home
When I finally reach my destination, I will be at peace
Just relaxing from the action in the danger zone
I will find peace after overcoming dangerous situations
It's my rest bit, catching my breath before I exit
I'm taking a moment to catch my breath before moving forward
Scolding sill, mellow ice grill, people keep on telling me to chill
Although people tell me to calm down, my anger is an important part of my art
But I know it only poetry can feel
Only through poetry can I fully express my emotions
It's all part feeling, strong whip black children
It's all about feeling, and the struggle for Black empowerment and equality
March through the streets with a million
I will join massive protests for social justice
Dealing with injurious, just us against us
We're often fighting against our own community's internal struggles
We must bust back until they vanquished
We will keep fighting until our oppressors are defeated
Runaway for the 'ad the Serengeti
I will escape from my problems and find peace in nature
Fuck a white collar, sucker can't do me nada
I won't let upper-class oppression control me
Homie but we gotta live it gotta follow
We have to keep pushing through life's struggles
Give it then I get it, spit it make it proper
I will use my experiences to create meaningful art
We fly on a gamble, try learn to handle
Life is a risk but we must learn to manage it
Ways that the days of life fade to candle
Life can be fleeting and we must cherish every moment
And flicker, sicker, black when the cut back
Life can be unpredictable and frightening at times
'Fore we lose track of where we at...
Before we lose sight of our journey and purpose
Contributed by Lincoln N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GnSSensation
I'll take a runaway train from the reigns of shame
And focus things so my head don't hear my brain
It's how I'm seeing - keeping it even with balanced breathin
When the Zion train come it's the last one leavin
I'll be long gone, when I'm finally home
Just relaxing from the action in the danger zone
It's my rest bit, catching my breath before I exit
Return to the Earth, be on some next shit, bless this!
[Hook]
One time, maintain shine, chains can't bind, free your mind!
Lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla
Aiyyo one time, maintain shine, chains can't bind, free your mind!
Lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla, lemme holla
[Verse 2]
Scolding sill, mellow ice grill, people keep on telling me to chill
But I know it only poetry can feel
With emotions that I mostly need to heal
It's all part feeling, strong whip black children
March through the streets with a million
Dealing with injurious, just us against us
We must bust back until they vanquished
Attack, pull over fool this is a jack
Now gimme back the fad and my bamma weed sack
My culture, every day I'm getting closer
Living it up like I'm supposed ta
Who the king ruling this? (Jah!!)
Jah the light'll never miss ya
One of these days I'm gonna kiss ya
Touch you with my lips against the cheek
Gonna hit ya, so every day I'm reading scripture
One day!
@freehemp420
zion I got me flyin' HIGH. Love these guys, I met DJ Amplive at a show in Atlanta in February tripping my ass off on some shrooms; he's super chill and cool. I hadn't listened to their music before that show and now I have Mind Over Matter, Deep Water Slang, True & Livin', Heroes In the City of Dope, and The Takeover. All those albums kick ass! Zion I is about as good as it gets.
@dchalla9965
This song will never gets old for me
@quatariusbellamy3355
I honestly been searching for this song for years haha!
@Illuminatmatrix
can u believe it was here all the time ? :D
@thoughtworn
Fun thing that I have too and I found it because my boyfriend linked it to me
@mikerealness3551
Me too!!! It was on this movie called Big Fat Liar, & For YEARS...I been trying to find it.
@forrestengler8713
New World Disorder baby
@ifuxonthefirstdate
love this song, especially boarding .. just a wicked tune
@paulina3601
this song is so mind blowing that it will blow your mind.
@jarbon5
This song sounds like a breakdance battle back in the day, with the b boys take each other to school with some of the illest moves!