Featuring DJ/Producer Amp Live and MC Zumbi, Zion I incorporate the spiritual essence of 1960s free jazz inherent in the music of Pharaoh Sanders, Sun Ra and Albert Ayler, with the message of unity, hope and collectivity permeating throughout their blend of hip-hop with trip-hop beats. Their unique sound is also found in incorporating trance and drum ’n’ bass into their production, as well as the offbeat grooves of reggae and dub. Their music has turned the heads of a number of big names in hip-hop, with Zion I gaining support slots for rap royalty, such as De La Soul, Rakim and Run D.M.C.
Zion I originally came together in Atlanta, US although they son moved to Bay Area, California, US, beginning to make their music. Their debut album, “Mind Over Matter” came out in 2000, gaining a nomination for ‘Independent Album of the Year’ by Source Magazine. It featured collaborations with local rappers Rasco, Planet Asia and the Grouch. They followed this up with “Deep Water Slang V2.0” in 2003 and then “True & Livin’” in 20005, which featured guest appearances from some big names in hip-hop, Gift of Gab, Talib Kweli and Aesop Rock.
In 2006, Zion I released their first collaborative album with The Grouch, a long-established rapper in the Bay Area scene, titled “Heroes in the City of Dope.” The album reached number 34 on the Top Independent Albums chart, also featuring the talents of Chali 2na from Jurassic 5 and Mistah F.A.B. This was followed by the duo’s sixth album, “The Take Over,” which saw them return to their trademark sound. 2010’s “Atomic Clock” followed, which saw Macklemore, Rebelution and Martin Luther make contributions. The band again reunited with the Grouch in 2011, for “Heroes in the Healing of the Nation. Continuing in fine form, “Shadowboxing,” their ninth album, was released n 2012, named by SF Weekly as their ’10 Best Bay Area Hip-Hop Records of 2012.’
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Charli XCX
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