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.
Sorry
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
yo, eh, my raps written in a whirlwind, so if my tail spin
just point at me and ill begin where the twirl ends
its difficult to open up, wounds that never shut
and watch it bleed while these rap critics eat it up
but such is destiny, a limit of choice
I'm the coppertone chiller, with the little kid voice
to drop interpretations, quite logical
systematic pressure, I ingest and write my letters
the misery, visibly, breaking me, physically
I walk around half-smiles, hiding pain deep, knowing that I ain't feelin
right and it's hard to sleep/ subconsciously worry about my mom and poppa
she want another life where she marry her a doctor
and after all these years it's just tears
she wanted something more, but it's hard to shift the gears
pops stressin out, didn't know he did nuttin wrong
apologetic, say your sorry but the hurt has been done
same old song, but I don't understand the melody
treated like a criminal, third strike felony
its hard as fuck when you see your pop cry
lookin deep into my face never blinkin an eye
say your sorry
[Chrous]
sorry, didn't mean to hurt nobody
sorry, never knew I was hurtin you
I'm sorry
yo this is for the ladies that I did wrong, it's sort of crazy
that I would write these words up in a song, hopin maybe
to get some closure, relationship's already over
I'm healthy and I'm sober, no brownies made of doja
born in october, I'm a libra in my placement
the qualities of my sign, they leave me here adjacent
to romance, I cant say ive been faithul
ive cheated many times, for experience I'm grateful
even, bleak and honest, posturin like a madonnas
while kissin on your neck, pullin deeper marijuanas
manipulatin, you was giving, I was taking
my girl weve been forsaken, like muslims eating bacon
its kinda squalor, I dont know what else to call it
you opened up your heart and I had to go and spoil it
this is for the sisters who I really got deep
nicky, jackie, queen afuya, Big T
all due respect cause we met for a purpose
I hope you ain't ashamed cause the time wasn't worthless
I'm sorry
[Chorus]
to all my homies gettin my back, I'm never lonely
if I ever dis, raised a fist, I was only
caught up in the moment, thought you was my opponent
I saw myself in you for a minute, and I wanted
to fight me, likely I was mad at self
sometimes it's easier to blame someone else
without ya'll couldn't stand the constant demands of livin rap life
It's only right that we band/ together against the restless tides of oppression
I'm firin rhymes like smith n wessun
progression is made with a simple step, even jesus wept
I'm lettin ya know too long, these feelings kept
inside of my mind, true friends hard to find
now that I let it out, we gotta shine cousin I'm so sorry
The song "Sorry" by Zion I is a classic hip hop track that explores the theme of apology. The lyrics talk about the different situations that require an apology, including hurting people you love, disappointing your parents, cheating in relationships, and even fighting with your friends. The song is a journey of self-reflection and introspection, as the artist tries to come to terms with his mistakes and regrets. Throughout the song, we see a vulnerable side of the artist, who admits his flaws and shortcomings, and shows remorse for the pain he has caused.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as Zion I talks about his struggles to express his emotions and feelings. He acknowledges that his raps are often written in a whirlwind, making it hard for him to articulate what he truly means. He talks about the pressure of being a rapper and the expectations of the critics, who often dissect and analyze his work. Despite all this, he recognizes that it's his destiny to write and perform, and he stays true to his art even when it's challenging.
The chorus of the song is a simple repetition of the word "sorry," which emphasizes the central theme of the track. It's a reminder that, no matter how successful or talented we are, we all make mistakes and hurt people. Saying sorry is not always easy, but it's necessary for healing and forgiveness. The song ends on a positive note, as Zion I expresses his gratitude to his friends who have supported him through his struggles. He acknowledges that true friendship is hard to come by, but it's worth cherishing and nurturing.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it's hard to say I'm sorry yo
Apologizing can be difficult and challenging
my raps written in a whirlwind, so if my tail spin
I write my raps very quickly, so I may lose my track
its difficult to open up, wounds that never shut
It's challenging to talk about past painful experiences
and watch it bleed while these rap critics eat it up
It's painful to watch critics enjoy your suffering
but such is destiny, a limit of choice
A feeling that fate cannot be controlled
I'm the coppertone chiller, with the little kid voice
Describing oneself as calm and peaceful, with a high pitched voice
used to never talk, thoughts too deep, they're philosophical
I used to keep to myself due to having too many deep philosophical thoughts
systematic pressure, I ingest and write my letters
Pressure of the system causes me to internalize my emotions and write them down
the misery, visibly, breaking me, physically
The pain of life is visible and causing physical harm
I walk around half-smiles, hiding pain deep, knowing that I ain't feelin right and it's hard to sleep/
I try to hide my pain with a fake smile, but I struggle to rest at night
subconsciously worry about my mom and poppa
Anxiety about the well-being of my parents exists even subconsciously
she want another life where she marry her a doctor
My mom wants a different life where she could have married a doctor
and after all these years it's just tears
After all this time it has led to sadness and tears
she wanted something more, but it's hard to shift the gears
She wanted a different outcome, but it's hard to change the current situation
pops stressin out, didn't know he did nuttin wrong
My father is stressed out and doesn't know what he did wrong
apologetic, say your sorry but the hurt has been done
Saying sorry isn't enough after something hurtful was done
same old song, but I don't understand the melody
Things keep repeating, but I don't understand why
treated like a criminal, third strike felony
Being treated poorly, even though I didn't deserve it
its hard as fuck when you see your pop cry
It's incredibly difficult to see my father cry
lookin deep into my face never blinkin an eye
Looking at me intently without blinking
this is for the ladies that I did wrong, it's sort of crazy
Addressing past wrongdoings to women as crazy
that I would write these words up in a song, hopin maybe
Writing this song hoping to find closure and forgiveness
to get some closure, relationship's already over
Trying to find closure despite the relationship being over
I'm healthy and I'm sober, no brownies made of doja
Being healthy and sober, not indulging in marijuana
born in october, I'm a libra in my placement
Born in October and describing oneself as a Libra placement
the qualities of my sign, they leave me here adjacent
Characteristics of being a Libra leave me similar to others
ive cheated many times, for experience I'm grateful
Admitting to cheating in past relationships, but seeing it as a learning opportunity
like muslims eating bacon
Describing a cultural taboo for emphasis
you opened up your heart and I had to go and spoil it
Someone opening their heart, but spoiling it due to one's own actions
to all my homies gettin my back, I'm never lonely
Appreciation for friends always supporting one another
if I ever dis, raised a fist, I was only
If I ever showed hostility towards friends, it was only in the heat of the moment
caught up in the moment, thought you was my opponent
Getting lost in a moment and seeing friends as rivals
progression is made with a simple step, even jesus wept
Evoking Jesus's emotions to emphasize a small step can have a big impact
true friends hard to find
Finding genuine friends is difficult
now that I let it out, we gotta shine cousin I'm so sorry
Expressing regret but hopeful for a brighter future with friends
[Chorus]
The repeated chorus of "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt nobody. Sorry, never knew I was hurtin you. I'm sorry."
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AL GORGONI, CHIP TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J2MTR
Every time I hear this track, it brings me to tears, whether one drop or many. It always awakens my conscience in life. It hurts holding in all my pain, but this brings it out, and it feels relieving. #Dope.
Blacklava
Keep going, I think I speak for everyone cultured enough to be watching this when I say that underground artists such as this are the last glimmering memory of what Hip Hop once was and what it stood for. Big up to every underground rapper keeping shit real.
Rymo D
Each time I hear this song it takes me back to the first time I heard it (at which point I had to repeat the tune probably ten or more times) in senior year of high school. It's now years later, but this was around the same time I started MCing seriously. You know it's a great song when, upon hearing those first couple of seconds, you're instantly taken back to a different place or time mentally. Keep it true and livin', people.
Doug Konzen
Love the intro. Calms you down right away
DJTrademark
Zion I together make some of the most amazing music around. True and Livin has to be my favorite with deep water slang a very, very close second. Much Love and Respect to the Zion I Crew.
UnholyHenchmen
this song has me at tears man.. the lyrics are so dope , i've hurt my pops so bad and just hearing this song makes me look at life so differently zion i spits the truth and nothing else.
Isiah The Chef
he has the most amazing beats ive ever heard this is MUSIC of the heavens very relaxing
MAC Millies
this beat is strait fire, and lyrically outstanding, true poet on the mic
kamenson
Świetne. Pozdrowienia z Polski. { Great, big up from Poland :] }
Matthias Neufeld
i love reading deep comments under videos/songs like this. people sharing their feelings so honestly with other people they dont even know, and everyone knows what this person is talking about and shows love. connection thru music. one love!