From The Sun Moon and Stars EP. Director of Photography: Mike Tafao.

Amp Live and Zumbi deliver their final EP as Zion I. The press release for the EP reads as follows:

The Sun Moon and Stars EP is the final link in the EP trinity from Zion I, which started with Masters of Ceremony, and Libations. The project captures the mounting tension of the ongoing clash between the police and the community, with “Dreadlock” and “Unity.” On the other side it features savvy storytelling over bass heavy ambiance with “Lost in Translation” and “Last Nite.” “Juggernaut” serves as the street anthem, deftly balancing the extremes. The three modes convey the hunger of an artist steady honing his craft. Bear witness, to the Sun Moon and Stars.

Earlier this year, Zion I has returned with their Libations EP, the second installment of a three part series the duo is working on. Libations is the follow up album to Master of Ceremonies, the first installment of their free trilogy, which focuses on high energy music where the listener feels invigorated and can be taken to a different state of mind. Complete with a multitude of artists and debuted by XXL, “Get Urs” is a new visual from the indie hip-hop fusion group. The video features flashy backdrops, iconic photographs and close-ups with each featured guest. The track was produced by Headnodic and features Mr. Lif, Kev Choice, Deuce Eclipse, Opio, and Sadat X spitting their own verses as each rapper stamps their unique brand on the video.

Introduced as part two of their trilogy, Libations is completely different from its predecessor. The album dropped via URB and features more emotion themes, specifically memories and reflection. Zumbi explains, “This project was heavily influenced by one of my best friends passing away suddenly. His death put me in a mood to really analyze my life and how short this existence really can be. It opened my eyes and heart to both the ugliness and beauty of what we experience while alive.” Hence, Libations broods with reflection and deep emotion. “To me, libation is when you honor someone by pouring out your brew before you sip, its a sort of prayer. On this EP, I poured out some liquor for my homie, as well as my family, and myself.” The EP features production from AMP Live, Headnodic, and newcomer Featherload, along with rappers Mr Lif, Sadat X, and Opio of Souls of Mischief.

Directed by Cory Ring. Produced by Headnodic.

The Masters of Ceremony EP available on iTunes. This video was a collaboration with the “Substance Over Hype” crew out of LA. Filmed at YouTube Studios in Marina Del Rey. Showcases top of the game bboys and poppers as well as some cirque talent (cyr wheel) and martial arts (tricking) to keep it fresh. Concept from Zumbi & Amp Live. Directed by Malakai.

Combining Latin horns, showtime music, and samples of scratches from ’80s and ’90s rap are things that not even the most diverse artists risk doing, but indie hip-hop fusion duo Zion I make it work in tracks like “Get Yours” from their second of three free EP’s, entitled Libations, which was premiered by URB. Promoting unity and upliftment, the duo unveil this project as a means to change the perception of hip hop by simultaneously infusing elements of spirituality and a mix of genres including trip-hop, R&B and a bit of Latin flavor. With entrancing melodies and soul-infused synths in tracks like “Last Night” that lean more towards the R&B side, and the medieval-regal sounding intro for “Lateef’s Song,” every track has a different flow and vibe. The EP is a taste of the group’s visual and experimental aesthetic.

Composed of rapper MC Zumbi and producer AMP Live, Libations is part two of their free EP trilogy. The duo previously released part one of the album, entitled Master of Ceremonies. In creating the first part, MC Zumbi says, “We took it back to ground zero in creating these songs. The sole purpose of the emcee is to energize, invigorate and guide the listener to a higher state of mind, whether that be reflection, relaxation or enlightenment.” Switching gears, the duo explains that Libations is completely different. Zumbi explains, “This project was heavily influenced by one of my best friends passing away suddenly. His death put me in a mood to really analyze my life and how short this existence really can be. It opened my eyes and heart to both the ugliness and beauty of what we experience while alive.” Hence, Libations broods with reflection and deep emotion. “To me, libation is when you honor someone by pouring out your brew before you sip, it’s a sort of prayer. On this EP, I poured out some liquor for my homie, as well as my family, and myself.” Aside from production by AMP Live, the EP also features production from Headnodic and newcomer Featherload, as well as features with rappers Mr Lif, Sadat X, and Opio from Souls of Mischief.

Taken from the forthcoming release Strange Journey Volume Three. Produced by Kno.

The Masters of Ceremony is the first EP in a series created to fortify the cultural aspects of Hip Hop. We took it back to ground zero in creating these songs. The sole purpose of the MC is to energize, invigorate, and guide the listener to a higher state of mind, whether that be reflection, relaxation or enlightenment. This is the culture and not the business of Hip Hop, to serve as a tuning fork to the emotions, that we may contemplate our current state collectively and forge our collective destiny with heightened perspective. A lot of people MC, but many have no idea what it really means. – Zumbi

The Vapors is a 5 song EP celebrating 4/20. This collection enlists bangers from AmpLive, as well as newcomers to the Zion I sound MkSmth, Knowitall, and Neon Brown. On the mic are featured Fashawn, D.U.S.T., Nump and Povi Tamu. Zion I is currently working on an LP for Fall 2013, and will be touring the Midwest starting April 30th and ending May 6th. Check out the video for the title track below, as well.

Zion I’s new album, Shadowboxing, may have trouble finding it’s place during the busy fourth quarter blitz, but that hasn’t stopped them from giving it there all. Today, they debut their new video from the album, “Human Being”, and also deliver a full stream of the LP, courtesy of DJBooth.

Since the emergence of their highly acclaimed Mind Over Matter LP, Oakland underground standouts Zion I have stood at the forefront of progressive hip hop, foreshadowing the merging of electronic music and hip hop years in advance. Producer Amp-Live’s intricate soundscapes, combined with soulful, intelligent lyrics from MC Zumbi, have earned co-signs from hip hop icons as diverse as Too $hort and Talib Kweli, along with legions of die-hard fans. In 2012, it is time for the rest of the world to meet Zion I.

To aid in this effort, and in anticipation of their upcoming release Shadow Boxing (October 2, Live Up Records), Zion I joins forces with Brooklyn mixtape master J.Period (remixer/DJ for Q-Tip, The Roots, K’Naan) to present Bomb First, a pre-emptive strike on the stagnating state of commercial hip hop. Featuring new music from Zion I, Kendrick Lamar, Azelia Banks, Action Bronson, Curren$y and more, Bomb First finds Zion I once again at the forefront of progressive hip hop-this time foreshadowing the emergence a new generation of artists dedicated to the preservation of the art.

On Bomb First, Zion I & J.Period shine a light on hip hop that is inspiring THEM in 2012. The result is a fun, diverse and soulful listening experience designed to inspire a new crop of fans, and re-ignite the spark in die-hard fans still hungry for quality hip hop.

J. Period + Zion I – “Bomb 1st” (Mixtape)

From the upcoming album, Shadowboxing. Check out tour dates below.

10/4 — Fulton 55 — Fresno, CA
10/5 — The Mezzanine — San Francisco, CA
10/6 — Ace of Spades — Sacramento, CA
10/11 — Senator Theater — Chico, CA
10/13 — The Catalyst — Santa Cruz, CA
10/16 — WOW Hall — Eugene, OR
10/17 — Domino Room — Bend, OR
10/18 – The Royal Lounge — Olympia, WA
10/19 — Refuge — Portland, OR
10/20 — City Arts Festival — Seattle, WA
10/22 — Neuroflux — Boise, ID
10/23 — Urban Lounge — Salt Lake City, UT

10/24 — Aggie Theatre — Fort Collins, CO

10/25 — Boulder Theatre — Boulder, CO

11/8 — Brooklyn Bowl — Brooklyn, NYC
11/9 — Middle East Downstairs — Cambridge, MA
11/10 — The Blockley — Philadelphia, PA
11/11 — Higher Ground — South Burlington, VT

11/12 — Pearl Street-Club Room — Northampton, MA
11/14 — Baltimore Soundstage — Baltimore, MD

11/15 – Amos’ Southend — Charlotte, NC

11/16 — The Music Farm — Charleston, SC
11/17 — Terminal West — Atlanta, GA
11/18 — Jack Rabbits — Jacksonville, FL
11/19 — The Social — Orlando, FL
12/14 — El Rey Theatre — Los Angeles, CA
12/15 — Porter’s Pub — San Diego, CA

Completed while on the “How The Grouch Stole Christmas” tour, Zion I, The Grouch, Eligh, and Evidence pay Primo a ‘lil nod on this one. Eric B in 2012!

These days, most underground artists do not tour nationwide, let alone, worldwide. With the changing musical landscape, fickle fan bases, and the rising costs of touring, most East Coast clubs seldom see their brethren from the West roll through their towns. Zion I and the members of the Living Legends defy modern touring conventions. Both groups continue to put out music below the mainstream’s radar that allows them to constantly tour. Therapy At 3 by Eligh & Amp Live is another album that may lead members of each of these crews to gas up the vans and hit the road.

Eligh, best known as the Living Legend member with a rapid-fire flow and a member of the popular duo he forms with Legend emcee Grouch (G & E), pairs up with producer extraordinaire Amp Live of Zion I fame. This album kind of came out of nowhere with little build, but it is definitely worth a listen for people who are unfamiliar with both artists, and will not disappoint longtime fans. The team-up seemed inevitable since Grouch has appeared on Zion I’s albums since 2000 and they have released two albums together as a unit. Eligh was definitely waiting in the cut to spit over some Amp Live beats.

“Beautiful Addiction” (feat. Grieves & Blake Hazard) definitely is the most accessible song on this album with straightforward verses, a poppy beat, and female-sung chorus. For as much as songs like this could easily miss the mark, this one hits it right on. “Ego Killer” (feat. Inspired Flight) also uses the female-sung hook to open up accessibility.
Another standout track, “Metronome” sounds like a vintage Zion I beat, one that would have fit perfectly on Mind Over Matter. The beat switches up, but the metronome continues throughout. This displays the type of production a fan of Amp Live has come to expect over the years of Zion I-related releases.

“Tattoo Song” rides a bouncy beat, and deals with Eligh’s reason for all of his tattoos, which is based on his idea to “Transfer my inner pain to my outer frame.” An official video for this song is available online and a viewing is definitely recommended.

The thing that stands out most about this album is its cohesiveness. Between the intro and outro, each song features lush musical backdrops, beats that often switch on a dime and Eligh’s top-notch emceeing. Most of the songs bleed into outerludes that go all over the place and prepare the listener for a completely different listening experience to come on the next cut.

While not every song on this album is easily accessible to a fan of modern pop rappers, due to some of the abstract qualities of the lyricism and beats, there are plenty of gems to checkout. After you have taken the album in, be prepared to have your neck snap next time these members of The Living Legends and Zion I hit your town.

Not a Crystal Waters cover.