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.
TakeOver
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me the bad lieutenant
Cause I ain't that impressed by that car you rented
They try hard
I know they wanna fit in, I'm like 'my God'
Learn how to grow some thick skin
You got the whip, rock the jewels and the fit
Go head and follow, I'll be rolling with my clique
A couple years later set to take this game over
I never rolled a Rover in the hood like King Cobra
Trying to be patient but I ain't your blood donor
It's Zumbi style flip your head like cheap liquor
From the A to the Bay, had to leave to get bigger
We wanna blow it up, I call it coming up
When the Tecs started bumping it, now we pump it up
Boom bap music blood is running through my veins
Never been afraid, ain't scared to make a change
Doesn't matter what you think
Feel free, you can hate on me
I'm in deep to a beat
And the music's taking over me
They call me starving to grimy
Conscious to Cosby
Hyphy to Hip-hop
I'm happy, I'm sorry
We rock the party, that's what you know
Change up my style, but the soul stay Pluto
Don't believe me you can kiss my culo
Synthesize funk from the keys of a Juno
Stay in one place, run a rat race
If you want, I'mma funk and freak your mind-state
To divine landscapes
Zumbi just chillin, Amp just chillin, Zion I just chillin
The cooks stay building, one at a time
Every style, every flip, gon' sharpen the mind
Have speed, party rhyme, deep in the sign
I'mma shine regardless, I gotta get mine
You gotta get yours, we gotta get through it
So open your pores and let the homeboy do it (do it) (do it)
Doesn't matter what you think
Feel free, you can hate on me
I'm in deep to a beat
And the music's taking over me
It's the Takeover
I get Sick Wid It like my name E-40
I got the grip on style and yo they all my homeys
Got Pac in my pocket, Big L in my pencil
Nas for my dental, BIG's in my stencil
$hort for the _____? _____? keep it crackin'
Rakim to God, the 40 track slide
Ice Cube and Tribe, I got them inside
I open up my heart and let the soul provide
So open up your heart and let the soul revive
I open up my heart and let the soul provide
The lyrics of Zion I's "TakeOver" are reflective of the rapper's attitude towards the music industry and society as a whole. In the first verse, he references materialism and the pressure to fit in, with lines like "They try hard, I know they wanna fit in" and "You got the whip, rock the jewels and the fit, Go head and follow, I'll be rolling with my clique." He also encourages people to grow thicker skin so they can withstand criticism and not be swayed by societal pressures. The second verse talks about the artist's versatility, as he goes from "Starving to grimy, conscious to Cosby, Hyphy to Hip-hop," indicating his ability to adapt to different styles and genres. The rapper also mentions other musicians who have influenced him, like E-40, Nas, and Rakim, suggesting that he is not alone in his approach to music and the industry.
The chorus of the song expresses a sense of liberation and being taken over by the music. Zion I acknowledges that people may not always like or support his music, but he is still going to create and let the music guide him. The line "So open your pores and let the homeboy do it" represents Zion I's desire to share his art with the world and the acceptance of however the audience responds to it.
Overall, "TakeOver" is indicative of how Zion I sees himself as an artist defying societal norms, and how he bravely raps true to himself. The song is a message for those who are struggling to find their voice in a society that constantly pressures them to be someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Now let's begin in it
Let's start this song.
Call me the bad lieutenant
Refer to me as someone who is not easily impressed.
Cause I ain't that impressed by that car you rented
I am unimpressed by the car you rented.
They try hard
People make an effort.
I know they wanna fit in, I'm like 'my God'
They want to belong, but I don't care.
Learn how to grow some thick skin
Develop the ability to handle criticism.
You got the whip, rock the jewels and the fit
You have a car, wear jewelry, and dress well.
Go head and follow, I'll be rolling with my clique
You can follow me or not, I'll be with my group of friends.
Burning incense (yeah) they tried to call us yoga
They once mistook us for yoga enthusiasts because we burned incense.
A couple years later set to take this game over
Now we are poised to dominate the music industry.
I never rolled a Rover in the hood like King Cobra
I didn't drive a Range Rover in my neighborhood like a rich person would.
Trying to be patient but I ain't your blood donor
I'm trying to be polite, but I won't let you take advantage of me.
It's Zumbi style flip your head like cheap liquor
My style, like a bad hangover, will make your head spin.
From the A to the Bay, had to leave to get bigger
We left our hometowns to become more successful.
We wanna blow it up, I call it coming up
We want to be famous and successful.
When the Tecs started bumping it, now we pump it up
When people in the tech industry started listening to our music, our popularity grew.
Boom bap music blood is running through my veins
I have a deep love for classic hip hop music.
Never been afraid, ain't scared to make a change
I am not afraid of change and I am willing to make changes.
They call me starving to grimy
Some people refer to me as being poor and dirty.
Conscious to Cosby
I have a thoughtful mindset, like Bill Cosby.
Hyphy to Hip-hop
I am versatile with music styles and can go from hyphy to hip hop seamlessly.
I'm happy, I'm sorry
I have mixed emotions.
We rock the party, that's what you know
We know how to entertain the crowd.
Change up my style, but the soul stay Pluto
I may change my style, but my soul remains unchanged.
Don't believe me you can kiss my culo
If you don't believe me, you can kiss my butt.
Synthesize funk from the keys of a Juno
I create funky music with a Juno keyboard synthesizer.
Stay in one place, run a rat race
If you stay in one place and don't move forward, you'll remain stagnant like a rat running in circles.
If you want, I'mma funk and freak your mind-state
If you're interested, I can alter your mindset with my funky music.
To divine landscapes
We create music that takes listeners to new, spiritual places.
Zumbi just chillin, Amp just chillin, Zion I just chillin
We are just all hanging out, nothing special happening.
The cooks stay building, one at a time
We work on our music gradually, one piece at a time.
Every style, every flip, gon' sharpen the mind
Each individual music style sharpens our minds.
Have speed, party rhyme, deep in the sign
We strive to be fast, fun, and deep in our lyrics and music.
I'mma shine regardless, I gotta get mine
I will succeed no matter what, I have to fulfill my dreams.
You gotta get yours, we gotta get through it
You have to achieve your own goals and dreams, and we will have to persevere to overcome obstacles.
So open your pores and let the homeboy do it (do it) (do it)
Relax and let me entertain you, let me do my thing.
I get Sick Wid It like my name E-40
I am a talented rapper like E-40.
I got the grip on style and yo they all my homeys
I have a good grasp of hip hop styles and everyone knows me.
Got Pac in my pocket, Big L in my pencil
I carry the music of Tupac in my pocket and Big L inspires my lyrics.
Nas for my dental, BIG's in my stencil
Nas inspires my flow while the late Biggie Smalls inspires my rhyme scheme.
$hort for the _____? _____? keep it crackin'
Short Dawg inspires me to keep the party going.
Rakim to God, the 40 track slide
Rakim is an influential rapper to me and 40 tracks is my favorite.
Ice Cube and Tribe, I got them inside
I am influenced by the music of Ice Cube and A Tribe Called Quest.
I open up my heart and let the soul provide
I express myself freely.
It's the Takeover
This song marks our takeover of the music industry.
Doesn't matter what you think
I don't care about your opinion.
Feel free, you can hate on me
You can hate me if you want.
I'm in deep to a beat
I am completely focused on the music.
And the music's taking over me
The music has consumed me.
Contributed by Zoe J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paradis Syl
in my humble personal opinion, this is one of the greatest pieces of hip-hop music ever written
Cheerios11992
This guy's got flow and respect for the work, I love it. We need more. :D
305miizzliizzii3
I got their album a long time ago when they first came out with it on iTunes. Glad to see I'm not the only one who likes them. :)
Nick G21
Working hard every day , come home , eet some dinner then listen this while relaxin. Perfect song !
bcsburton
Zion I for life.
nathanNotargiacomoo
You may be the best person alive for putting this up. Thank you
Right-Footed Left-Back
this song is great! they should put out more music yo
Tiffany Sanae Woodbury
yes I ...I really like how this guy rocks the mic and make the irie vibes fly
rangerbude
this fucking beat is stuck in my head...AWESOME!
MoGotMilk
this song changes you slowly