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.
Silly Puddy Instrumental
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord gimme what I need gimme what I need.
Gimme what I need gimme what I
Need. Lord gimme what I need gimme what I need.
[Zion I]
Dear Lord you show me the best of times
You show me the worst of time
And I fight for what I want, but I die for what I need
And I watch my people bleed while vultures steady feed
We proceed with the mic bless
Crashin' in your likeness
More deadlier than vipers
Lyric spirit snipers
Ignite us
We'll be candles in the dark
Solid like Noah's Ark
I was destined for this part
In the scheme of thangs
We kings and queens eatin' chicken wings
But greasy finger tips can't hold the cepters so it slips
Now who's equip to come up on a grip
Abraver with Fraiser Lee I wait for the response
And I'm locked and loaded missiles ready set to launch
Eliminated comp-atition they gettin' bombed in the trunk
Cause we keep 'em chunk in the trunk
They gettin' bumped in the trunk
[The Grouch]
What can I learn from living life?
What can you learn from what I write?
I study till my lungs are bloody to him I'm just some Silly Puddy
Who created me to play with, she to lay with, us to bust
So I spend my day programming what...sounds?
Cosmo bound to rap into the break of dawn
So they can hear and know it's on
If the flow is strong it's smart
If it's stupid it's not art
Marks are made so many ways
You can spin the tires, blaze a sack for everybody dazed
A chapter is what you're after
[Hook]
Zion I: Gimmie what I need gimmie what I need
Grouch: To help them trace my tracks
Zion I: Lord Gimmie what I need gimmie what I need
Grouch: To stand and face the facts
Zion I: Lord Gimmie what I need gimmie what I need
Grouch:To lead them not astray
Zion I: Gimmie what I need gimmie what I need
Grouch: To say what I got to say
[Grouch]
Now you can faze me with your laughter your smiles or your pain
I feel your trials when I'm down and out or winning at the game
No one to claim Creator yet the masses are perplexed
Cause by life we're so impressed, we all wish we had a next
And that's no matter how much I complain
Really couldn't place no blame
I'll just refrain try stayin' sane and hope you watch your aim
I scope and got the flame
To make and knock and sock the same
Got to use the brain
So I can lose the chain
[Zion I]
See Grouch you my guru leader
So I don't need to pack no heater
Like syrup you make this sweeter
This ballad is beemer teeter
I'm tryin' to find myself
Look at reflections of everyone else
Some of y'all might find that funny but do not know your wealth
You make the world turn
You make the fire burn
You make the wind breeze
The sinner fall to his knees
Now that's some powerful
And I speak my words truthfully
As far as I know
Yo we all got some of God's duty
Hook
[Zion I]
Let me crack my seventh seal don't rush
Microphone's gotta get crush
I thrush with the force of a rocket buster
This ain't what you're use to
Now we gonna fly high singin this song la la la
If you don't believe in yourself you best to try
Ain't nobody said this life is easy
Everything a test
Is you gonna do your best?
Hide in the cone of flesh?
You got to stay fresh
Cause if you stop you stagnated
Stale thoughts of lack will put you in a jail
Believe I can and I will
Set these rhymes to sail
But will what I really feel pay the bill shit is ill
I stare off in the distance
Rhymin' with persistence
Cause rhymin' is a mission
Will anybody listen?
[The Grouch]
Now if you put me through any time of need
I'm sure I'll call for help indeed
Daily I stay silent, thinking thoughts at lightening speed
Heightened by the feedback and forth reciprocation
Situation rather unexplained I remain relations
In laymens it's a vibe I felt
De ja' vu inside myself
I speak it verbally
Made sure all them fools have heard of me
Believe I'm well connected
Not a prophet who's been resurrected
Trust and I expect it
When I bust it's higher effects to match your spects
Of my blue prints and the true sense of these words
God he lives within, all of this he's heard
Every word (every word)
Hook
The song Silly Puddy by Zion I starts off with the artist asking the lord for what he needs. The song goes on to address the confusion in people's minds and the struggle to fight for what they want versus what they need. The artists acknowledge the challenges that people face but encourages them to keep fighting and to keep things fresh in order to achieve success. The song addresses a variety of themes, including spirituality, self-discovery, and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Lord you show me the best of times
Addressing God, Zion I acknowledges the good times
You show me the worst of time
Zion I appreciates the balance in life shown by God
Confusion all over my mind but still I be bustin' rhymes
Even amidst confusion, Zion I continues to create music
And I fight for what I want, but I die for what I need
Zion I recognizes the difference between wants and needs, and the importance of fulfilling needs
And I watch my people bleed while vultures steady feed
Zion I observes people suffering while others take advantage of them
We proceed with the mic bless
Using music as a vehicle for speaking truth and spreading positivity
Crashin' in your likeness, More deadlier than vipers
Zion I's lyrical prowess and impact is compared to a venomous snake
Lyric spirit snipers, Ignite us
Zion I and his music aim to inspire and motivate
We'll be candles in the dark, Solid like Noah's Ark
Zion I believes in being a light in dark situations and remaining steadfast like the story of Noah's Ark
But greasy finger tips can't hold the cepters so it slips
Material possessions and power can be lost with careless handling
Now who's equip to come up on a grip, Abraver with Fraiser Lee I wait for the response
Zion I is waiting for an opportunity to arise and create something great
And I'm locked and loaded missiles ready set to launch, Eliminated comp-atition they gettin' bombed in the trunk
Zion I is ready to take on the competition with his music
What can I learn from living life?
The Grouch poses a philosophical question
What can you learn from what I write?
The importance of learning and gaining knowledge through writing and other creative forms
So I spend my day programming what...sounds?
The Grouch spends his day creating music and programming sounds
Cosmo bound to rap into the break of dawn
The Grouch is dedicated to his craft and working long hours into the night
If the flow is strong it's smart, If it's stupid it's not art
The quality of music is based on the strength and intelligence of its lyrics and production
Now you can faze me with your laughter your smiles or your pain
The Grouch can handle and relate to different emotions and experiences
No one to claim Creator yet the masses are perplexed
Despite the lack of a clear creator, people are still confused about the mysteries of life
Cause by life we're so impressed, we all wish we had a next
Because life is so impactful, people desire to live on beyond it
Now if you put me through any time of need, I'm sure I'll call for help indeed
The Grouch acknowledges the importance of reaching out for help when needed
Daily I stay silent, thinking thoughts at lightening speed, Heightened by the feedback and forth reciprocation
The Grouch spends time reflecting and thinking deeply, and is inspired by interaction with others
I remain relations
The Grouch stays connected to his community and relationships
When I bust it's higher effects to match your spects, Of my blue prints and the true sense of these words
The Grouch's music and lyrics have a profound impact on his audience
God he lives within, all of this he's heard, Every word (every word)
The Grouch believes that God is within everyone, and hears everything said and done by individuals.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WILLIAM JAY STEIN, ANTHONY W ANDERSON, STEPHEN GAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcos Pacheco
I got my mind on matter
And matter on my mind
Kinda hard when you run outta rhymes
Lickity Split is how I come equip
Better get on your sail and turn around your ship
When you speak my trigger finger itch
Every word you speak makes u sound like a bitch
Coming at you with the hollow point tips
I bring that real ish
Hopes of becoming rich
But never become a snitch
superokula
Marcos Pacheco
The streets is cold so I gotta bring the heater
Make you a believer
and a fearer of death I can deliver to your door step
Take your last breath, youngling
Cuz my tounge game dazzles the models
Constant flame, propane
Fuck you, profane
Doesn't Matter, if I put my Mind Over it
So high im in orbit
Never morbid
Bad vibes I forbid
No lies be real
Or I might have to peal
Your cranium I can unseal
Let make a deal
Fuck out of my face with the fake
leave my place you disgrace
Don't fuck with twoface
I just might pull up with a mace
You better brace if I aim at yo chest plate it just might break
Cuz I'm feeling more baked than a potato at this hour
MisterLiquid
How could someone thumb down this joint? I figured this would be my one vid with 100%... :(
T Stryk
@ElementJ idk but what i do know, is i wrote a song for my mom to this instrumental, when she was recovering from breast cancer. And for that i thank you
ElementJ
bots
Benz C
This song goes.. Glad to have the instumental now. Came across the song on youtube originally and have been hooked to zion i since. The beat kinda reminds me of something youd see from alchemist.
aaronmg817
Still love this beat... It's so amazing
Aaron Parker
Coldest slept on beat and track ever
9pathNick
This and chonkyfire by outcast 😤🔥
Doctor Plage
Call me the surveyor of all these rapping purveyors,Rhymes so cold got you dressing in layers,Real words coming from the malicious martyr,I'm hoping one day you'll learn from this lyrical on slaughter,I'll watch you falter at the alter, of all defaulters,Lock your doors we coming for your sons and your daughters,Recruiting for them Midnight Marauders, Refusing to encourage them water walkers,Take what you please from what the author offers,Still your the causer of them ripples in your saucer !
amart005
I don't care how, I'm just glad I found it!
Winchel Yu
thumbs up if you didn't find this on pandora.. you just found it cuz you know good hip hop