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.
Warriors Dance
Zion I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[MC Zion:]
Yo, R.I.P. to my warrior's gone
Stokely, George Jackson, Huey ???
If you feelin me, we should be, family
Vanity, hold us back mentally, my brother be strong
Til the time come, wisdom upon the drum
Lemme visual, lifestyle hate habitual
Proceed with caution, niggaz ritual
[Pep Love:]
Return of the black William Wallace
2002 Shaka Zulu with two black steel revolvers
In the community, all of us
Got to get involved cause that's the law for us
Mr. Officer, we don't want no trouble
We just doing our black thing, making our own government
You'll be lucky if you don't get locked up
Shackled, chained, and dropped off, picking all of the cotton
[Chorus: Pep Love, MC Zion]
It's time to get this shit crackin
It's time to do this warrior dance, turn thought into action
It's time to loosen up your bones
Get on the dance floor, time to get it on
To all my people in the struggle! (Where ya at?)
We gotta bubble! (Where ya at?)
To all my people in the streets! (Where ya at?)
Rock to the beat! (Where ya at?)
[Pep Love:]
I speak sporadic war tactics when my metaphors backflip
Perform black magic then I chop 'em with my war hatchet
Cultivate the crop so we can cop the proper yield
When we drop the real shit, we keep it poppin!
Don't make me start chuckin spears up in here
I got words for your ears and a bucket for your tears
A threat for your fears - I'm set
On this revolutionary concept that we slept on for years
[MC Zion:]
I'm just like Hannibal when I ramble through
Make moves, elephant tough, voodoo crew
Phenomenal, writer, skill of a crimefighter
Make mine divine will intice ya
Tighter than Lycra, my microphone
One height be gone, the type of mind to leave blown
I could just, cry a river, the plight of my niggaz
We die, for five figures don't lie, it happens
[Chorus]
[Pep Love:]
I'm hot under the collar but melanin keeps me cool
Twelve sinner if you think me fool
Watch my obsidian glow, peep my ebonical flow
I heave all over the beat and let my self go
I'm coming through the lane throwing elbows
You won't ask no mo', they keep saying "Hell no!"
We gotta take reparations, so make preparations
For the invasion of the alien nation
[MC Zion:]
Yo, I might change the world, this place need a makeover
B-Boys, B-Girls, this a takeover!!
Rap fanatic, the flag got static
Flying at half mast but we way past tragic
Flow subliminal, make my mic mineral
Take my flight general, can't we strike veniful
I'm at the show where it go down
David got a stone in the zone, he wanna throw now!
[Pep Love:]
Who's the criminal? Show me your leader I'ma let him know
We'll let the children and the women go
Me and my generals prepare for war
We are war-i-ors not scared of y'all
[Chorus]
The song 'Warriors Dance' by Zion I featuring Pep Love and Jog9 is a powerful and poetic call for action and revolution. The song is a tribute to the lost warriors of the black community, including Stokely Carmichael, George Jackson, and Huey P. Newton. The lyrics express the need for unity, strength, and discipline in the face of oppression and adversity. The artists speak of the importance of being involved in the community and making our own government. The chorus urges listeners to get up and dance, to turn their thoughts into action, and to fight for a better tomorrow.
The verses of the song are densely packed with imagery and references to African history and culture. Pep Love speaks of himself as a black William Wallace and a Shaka Zulu, using historical figures to highlight the warrior spirit of the black community. He also invokes black magic and war tactics, expressing the need for both physical and mental strength in the fight for justice. MC Zion uses the metaphor of Hannibal and elephants to reference African history and power, and speaks of his skill as a crime fighter and writer. The artists together create a powerful message of revolution and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, R.I.P. to my warrior's gone
Acknowledging the loss of great warriors like Stokely, George Jackson, and Huey P. Newton.
If you feelin me, we should be, family
Encouraging unity and solidarity among listeners.
Vanity, hold us back mentally, my brother be strong
Advising to overcome ego and strive for mental strength.
Til the time come, wisdom upon the drum
Urging listeners to acquire wisdom and knowledge, as represented by the drum.
Where we come from guns clap the sun
Describing a violent area where guns echo like claps against the sun.
Lemme visual, lifestyle hate habitual
Encouraging visualization and awareness to overcome self-destructive habits.
Proceed with caution, niggaz ritual
Cautioning listeners to be careful in their actions, as rituals can have serious consequences.
Return of the black William Wallace
Calling for a resurgence of black leadership and empowerment.
2002 Shaka Zulu with two black steel revolvers
Referencing historical African conquerors and equating them with contemporary weapons.
Got to get involved cause that's the law for us
Emphasizing the importance of community involvement and activism.
Mr. Officer, we don't want no trouble
Addressing police and law enforcement, stating the desire to avoid conflict.
We just doing our black thing, making our own government
Asserting self-determination and the desire to establish and govern the black community.
You'll be lucky if you don't get locked up
Warning of the dangers and injustices of the prison industrial complex.
Shackled, chained, and dropped off, picking all of the cotton
Referencing the history of slavery and the continued oppression of black people.
I speak sporadic war tactics when my metaphors backflip
Using poetic language to convey the power and intensity of revolutionary thought.
Perform black magic then I chop 'em with my war hatchet
Metaphorically using mystical powers to defeat opponents.
Cultivate the crop so we can cop the proper yield
Metaphorically referring to the need to nurture the community to achieve success.
When we drop the real shit, we keep it poppin!
Asserting that authentic and revolutionary music will always be relevant.
Don't make me start chuckin spears up in here
Asserting the power and aggression of the singer, invoking imagery of a tribal warrior.
A threat for your fears - I'm set
Conveying a sense of confidence and determination in the face of intimidation.
Tighter than Lycra, my microphone
Metaphorically describing the artist's microphone skills as tight and strong.
One height be gone, the type of mind to leave blown
Implying that the artist's words and message can change and inspire listeners.
I'm just like Hannibal when I ramble through
Comparing the singer to a great military commander known for his strategic thinking and tactics.
Make moves, elephant tough, voodoo crew
Referencing the artist's strength and connection to African and Haitian Voodoo traditions.
Phenomenal, writer, skill of a crimefighter
Comparing the singer's writing skills to those of a hero who fights against injustice.
Make mine divine will intice ya
Describing the singer's message as powerful and worthy of attention.
I could just, cry a river, the plight of my niggaz
Acknowledging the struggles and hardships faced by black people.
We die, for five figures don't lie, it happens
Referencing the senseless violence and loss of life that often accompanies poverty and desperation.
I'm hot under the collar but melanin keeps me cool
Referring to black resilience in the face of adversity.
Twelve sinner if you think me fool
Asserting the singer's intelligence and wisdom.
Watch my obsidian glow, peep my ebonical flow
Boasting about the singer's skills and lyrical prowess.
I heave all over the beat and let my self go
Describing the passion and emotion that the artist puts into their music.
We gotta take reparations, so make preparations
Advocating for reparations for the harm done to black people.
For the invasion of the alien nation
Metaphorically referring to the need to overthrow oppressive systems.
Yo, I might change the world, this place need a makeover
Asserting the power and potential of the singer to enact positive change.
B-Boys, B-Girls, this a takeover!!
Calling on the hip hop community to become leaders and revolutionaries.
Rap fanatic, the flag got static
Referencing the controversies and criticisms that rap music often faces.
Flying at half mast but we way past tragic
Asserting resilience and determination in the face of oppression and hardship.
Flow subliminal, make my mic mineral
Describing the singer's flow as powerful and influential.
Take my flight general, can't we strike veniful
Urging the listener to take action and defend themselves against oppression.
I'm at the show where it go down
Referencing the power and impact of live performances within the hip hop community.
David got a stone in the zone, he wanna throw now!
Referencing the biblical story of David and Goliath to convey the idea of overcoming great odds and obstacles.
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.