Zion I
The Take Over (Gold Dust)
This much we know: Zion I’s formula for crafting indelible underground hits for the past decade has cemented emcee Zumbi and DJ/ producer AmpLive—collectively Zion I—as elder statesmen in Bay Area hip hop. Zumbi’s raw poetics back dropped to AmpLive’s pounding, jazz-electro soulscapes are noted up and down the entire coast. Zion I’s sixth studio album, The Take Over (Gold Dust), however, teeters between political rap and pop, underground and mainstream. Translation: The Take Over is an industry experiment in sonic fusion, and by album’s end Zion I create a sound all its own—progressive power-pop.
Musically, Amp draws from everywhere—merging Afrika Bamabaataa-esque, electro-rap break beats (“DJ DJ”) and pounding afro-rhythms with steel drums (“Geek To The Beat”). Zumbi’s rhymes are equally diverse. His topics are simultaneously serious and frivolous, discussing problems and pleasures both spiritual and worldly. On “The Taking,” Zumbi declares, “This system does not work for us, so we must take this system over and make it work for us.” Setting the socio-political tone of the album is typical Zion I, but this time around there’s more to the group’s musical catalog. The album is also entertaining—a testament to their electrifying live shows. The signature thought-provoking message isn't lost in the theatrics of the The Take Over, but neither is the fun subdued in its place. It’s a careful, calculated sonic two-step, perfectly executed by rap vets.
More than any of their previous efforts, The Take Over encapsulates the diversity and versatility that have made Zumbi and AmpLive enigmas in Bay Area hip hop. The Take Over—a post-modern sonic mash-up for Generation O—is Zion I’s best attempt at turning their underground crusade into an overground movement.
Zion I's latest album hits stores 2.17.09
Track List for The Takeover1. The Taking
2. Geek To The Beat
3. Take Over
4. DJ DJ
5. Antenna
6. Caged Bird Part 1 Featuring Brother Ali
7. In The Mornin' ( Caged Bird Part 2)
8. Radio
9. Gumbo
10. Country Baked Yams Featuring Devin The Dude
11. Coastin' Featuring K.Flay
12. Juicy Juice
13. Peppermint Patty
14. Bring in the Light
15. Legacy Featuring Ty and Jennifer Johns
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