Heaven couldn’t be as rewarding as this…my moment with Zion I

AmpLive and Zumbi

‘Twas a feeling akin to what I imagine teenyboppers must feel like after meeting Miley Cyrus. It was actually quite surreal. I stumbled over words and I acted like a complete idiot, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. I got to sit in a private conference room, one-on-one with my hip-hop idols, Zion I.

AmpLive and Zumbi sat a mere 2 feet away while I drilled them with questions for about 45 minutes on a lazy Sunday in their studio in Oakland. While they’re not technically from the Bay Area, Zumbi grew up over here and went to De La Salle high school and then continued to move around the country. Amp is from San Antonio, but moved here after college (where they met – they went to Morehouse in Atlanta).  And maybe I’m sharing this information because I’m astounded and inspired by this otherwise ordinary conversation that I had with them.

What I find incredible about Zion I is that upon meeting them, they are completely — well, ordinary. I don’t mean that in a monotonous, boring way, I mean that in an inspirational fashion. They are able to create these soulful, socially conscious and experimental beats and lyrics working with some of the biggest names in the biz all while remaining just like you and me. They draw in hip-hop heads and hyphy kids alike. People from all walks of life and from all over the world are talking about these guys. They weren’t put off by me and my questions and they gave me some in-depth and thoughtful responses. Here’s an excerpt from my interview about the meaning of their name:
Zumbi: We chose the name because we was talking about the spirit of God within all of us, like Zion. We always talked about what Zion [was], in the Bible it’s where during the end times, the last days, that’s where all the righteous souls go. We always took that to mean that the music was that pure space for us – that creative space that’s within us. Then “I” is also a back-reflection of ourselves as well as the audience. So basically, it’s like a reminder that the divine spirit is within us and that keeps us on track musically.

Zion I has been around for a while – spitting rhymes and making beats with the likes of Bassnectar, Talib Kweli, Mistah F.A.B., The Grouch, Aesop Rock, Del the Funky Homosapien, Gift of Gab, Devin the Dude, MC Ty, Brother Ali — I mean I could literally go on for pages…The point is, these guys make innovative music blending every genre under the sun while still remaining true to their hip-hop roots. They continue to re-invent themselves and completely take their fans by surprise with each new mixtape, LP and album. Their never-ending creativity keeps me motivated to do my own thing at a higher level of intensity. Look, if you’re into hip-hop and you haven’t listened to them yet, figure it out. These guys are the present and future of hip-hop. Check out their new album The Takeover dropping January 27, 2009.

Listen, get inspired, let me know whatcha think. Peace.

*Julie
 

***Disclaimer: I interviewed Zion I for my other writing job - I will release the interview transcript as soon as I'm authorized to. Thanks for your patience.***

***UPDATE: The interview transcript has been released!! Check it out here: My Moment with Zion I Pt. 2 - The Interview ***