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.
Take Over
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
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
Burning incense (yeah) they tried to call us yoga
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
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
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
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
In the lyrics of Zion I's song Take Over, the artist delivers a message of self-assurance, urging listeners to pursue their passions and embrace their individuality. He dismisses the notion of external validation, dismissing those who may be impressed by material possessions like luxury cars for their lack of depth. He also encourages personal growth, advising listeners to cultivate "thick skin". He states that as success comes along, people who once "tried to call us yoga" will eventually recognize and respect their talent. The chorus suggests that despite what others may think of them, Zion I is completely absorbed by his music and that it has taken control over him completely.
The song also touches upon the connection between different forms of hip hop; from the Bay Area style of Sick Wid It to the New York hip hop style of Biggie and Nas, to influential figures of old-school rap like Rakim, Ice Cube and Tribe Called Quest. By name-checking some of the most iconic figures in the rap game, Zion I pays homage to the roots of the genre while positioning his art form as an extension of that tradition.
Line by Line Meaning
Now let's begin in it
Let's start this song and get things going.
Call me the bad lieutenant
Refer to me as a no-nonsense leader who takes charge.
Cause I ain't that impressed by that car you rented
A fancy car won't impress me since it doesn't define who you really are.
I know they wanna fit in, I'm like 'my God'
People want to belong, but I don't need to fit in since I have my own identity.
Learn how to grow some thick skin
Develop emotional resilience to cope with life's challenges.
You got the whip, rock the jewels and the fit
You have the car, the jewelry, and the outfit to show off your wealth and status.
Go head and follow, I'll be rolling with my clique
You can follow the trend, but I'll stick with my own group of people.
Burning incense (yeah) they tried to call us yoga
Some people dismissed our lifestyle as just doing yoga while we burned incense as a spiritual practice.
A couple years later set to take this game over
After some time, we are ready to dominate the music industry.
I never rolled a Rover in the hood like King Cobra
I never drove a Range Rover in the neighborhood like a notorious gang member.
Trying to be patient but I ain't your blood donor
I'm trying to be patient, but I won't tolerate people using me like a blood donor.
It's Zumbi style flip your head like cheap liquor
My music style is so infectious that it will make you move your head instinctively like drinking cheap liquor.
From the A to the Bay, had to leave to get bigger
We had to venture out from Atlanta to the Bay Area to achieve success.
We wanna blow it up, I call it coming up
We want to become famous and successful, which I call coming up.
When the Tecs started bumping it, now we pump it up
Now that the DJs are playing our music, we are more popular than ever.
Boom bap music blood is running through my veins
I have an innate love and passion for boom-bap music.
Never been afraid, ain't scared to make a change
I'm not scared to take risks and make changes in my life.
Doesn't matter what you think
It's irrelevant what you think or say.
Feel free, you can hate on me
If you don't like me, that's your prerogative.
I'm in deep to a beat
I am fully immersed in the music I create.
And the music's taking over me
I am controlled by the power of the music I make.
They call me starving to grimy
People refer to me as someone who is always grinding and working to succeed.
We rock the party, that's what you know
We are known for entertaining the crowd and creating a lively atmosphere at parties.
Change up my style, but the soul stay Pluto
Although I update my music style, I still keep my unique soulful sound.
Don't believe me you can kiss my culo
If you don't trust me, then kiss my butt.
Synthesize funk from the keys of a Juno
Create funky music using a synthesizer called Juno.
Stay in one place, run a rat race
If you stay in one place and pursue materialistic desires, you are like a rat running continuously in a wheel.
If you want, I'mma funk and freak your mind-state
If you wish, I can excite and inspire your mindset with funky music.
Zumbi just chillin, Amp just chillin, Zion I just chillin
Zumbi, Amp, and Zion I are calmly relaxing and enjoying their success.
The cooks stay building, one at a time
We continue to create new music one track at a time.
Every style, every flip, gon' sharpen the mind
Each music style and variation help us to hone our craft and gain experience.
Have speed, party rhyme, deep in the sign
Our music has fast-paced rhythms with party lyrics and carries a deeper meaning behind them.
I'mma shine regardless, I gotta get mine
I will succeed, no matter what, and I need to take care of myself.
You gotta get yours, we gotta get through it
You also need to take care of yourself, and we need to work together to survive.
So open your pores and let the homeboy do it (do it) (do it)
Let your emotions and feelings flow, and let me do my job.
I get Sick Wid It like my name E-40
My style and flow are the best, like E-40, who is known to get people sick with his beats.
I got the grip on style and yo they all my homeys
I know how to create a great music style and all my friends recognize that.
Got Pac in my pocket, Big L in my pencil
I carry Tupac's legacy with me, and I write lyrics inspired by Big L's style.
Nas for my dental, BIG's in my stencil
I have Nas' unique style in my music delivery, and Biggie's influence can be seen in my writing style.
$hort for the _____? _____? keep it crackin'
I have mastered Short Dog's style, who has a unique flow and keeps the party going.
Rakim to God, the 40 track slide
My rhymes and flow are so smooth, like Rakim, that they are god-like, and I can create great tracks one after the other.
Ice Cube and Tribe, I got them inside
I incorporate Ice Cube's and A Tribe Called Quest's influences in my music style.
I open up my heart and let the soul provide
I pour my heart and soul into my music and aim to inspire others through it.
So open up your heart and let the soul revive
Let your emotions and soul reawaken, and let my music help with that.
Contributed by Ava F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.