Zion I

Sizzle & Fizzle: Highs and Lows from the Last Week in S.F. Music

S.F. Trumpeter Bill Ortiz on Playing with Souls of Mischief, Covering Gil Scott-Heron, and Touring with Sheila E.

"Souls of Mischief brought me in initially to replace a sample that was going to cost them too much to clear!" So says San Francisco-born trumpeter Bill Ortiz with a laugh as he recalls his contribution to the Bay Area rap quartet's cherished debut album '93 'Til Infinity. Ortiz's playing can be hea ... More >>

All Shook Down Music Fest: Download Our Free Pre-Party Mini-Mix

​ Our All Shook Down Music Fest is coming up quickly -- it's this Saturday at the Regency Ballroom, in case you haven't gotten tickets yet. We're sure you're as excited as we are to see Crystal Castles, Mistah F.A.B., Maus Haus, and more. But just to send your anticipation to even greater hei ... More >>

J Boogie: Show Preview

​ Our All Shook Down Music Fest is coming up quickly -- it's this Saturday at the Regency Ballroom, in case you haven't gotten tickets yet. We're sure you're as excited as we are to see Crystal Castles, Mistah F.A.B., Maus Haus, and more. But just to send your anticipation to even greater hei ... More >>

Watch: Zion I and the Grouch Become One with Nature in "Rockit Man" Video

​You knew, with a meteorite-streaming-across-the-sky kind of synth beat like the song has, that the video for new Zion I & the Grouch track "Rockit Man" was gonna be epic. And so it is. The video finds our collaborating boys melting into sand dunes, becoming one with hurricanes, holding forth ... More >>

S.F. at SXSW: Six Bay Area Artists to See in Austin

​You knew, with a meteorite-streaming-across-the-sky kind of synth beat like the song has, that the video for new Zion I & the Grouch track "Rockit Man" was gonna be epic. And so it is. The video finds our collaborating boys melting into sand dunes, becoming one with hurricanes, holding forth ... More >>

Zion I and The Grouch Reunite for Sophomore LP Heroes in the Healing of the Nation

​ In 2006, Zion I and The Grouch, two of the bigger names in Bay Area hip-hop, teamed up to deliver Heroes in the City of Dope. The album turned out to be a refreshing collaboration, full of exquisite wordplay and rubbery, hyphy-inspired production. It also served as a return to form for two acts ... More >>

Win Tickets to See Oakland Hip-Hop Duo Zion I at the New Parish This Friday

Zion I, the lauded Oakland hip-hop duo, is playing its first show of 2011 at the New Parish in Oakland this Friday. We'd love to send you to experience some of the powerful music put out by MC Zumbi and DJ AmpLive -- especially the new jams off of Atomic Clock, the group's seventh album, which dropp ... More >>

Watch Zion I's Cosmic New Video for 'Always'

Peter GrahamZion I​Zumbi and Amp Live, aka Zion I, have been freakishly consistent for more than a decade, pumping out quality albums without letting their sound go stale. This year, they've returned with their latest release, Atomic Clock, and now offer up a video for the track "Always.

Zion I: Show Preview

Peter GrahamZion I​Zumbi and Amp Live, aka Zion I, have been freakishly consistent for more than a decade, pumping out quality albums without letting their sound go stale. This year, they've returned with their latest release, Atomic Clock, and now offer up a video for the track "Always.

Oakland Faders' DJ Platurn on Why Song Requests Suck and the Rise of Bottle Service Hip-Hop

www.sfstation.com​Have you ever wondered just how much it pisses off a DJ when you request your favorite guilty pleasures all night? What actually happened to the hyphy movement? What sets Drake out from all the rest? DJ Platurn of the Oakland Faders gave us his candid thoughts on these topics and ... More >>

Over the Weekend: Zion I, Pep Love, and Dublin at the Independent

​Zion I, Pep Love, Dublin Friday, April 2, 2010 The Independent Better Than: Your last house party. Friday night, Zion I performed its second show in a row, joined by fellow natives Pep Love of Hieroglyphics and Dublin of Jazz Mafia fame. This evening was a showcase of Bay Area love, ... More >>

Zion I Brings the Live Show Home Tonight

​In action since 1997, Zion I has become one of the Bay Area's finest hip-hop acts, releasing six albums that have consistently shown off the duo's versatility. But in these times of rampant piracy, MC Zumbi and producer AmpLive know that their studio prowess alone won't butter their toast. Workin ... More >>

Zion I

​In action since 1997, Zion I has become one of the Bay Area's finest hip-hop acts, releasing six albums that have consistently shown off the duo's versatility. But in these times of rampant piracy, MC Zumbi and producer AmpLive know that their studio prowess alone won't butter their toast. Workin ... More >>

Amp Live Gets Radio Station, Films Video w/ Warriors

​2010 is gonna be a busy year for local producer whiz Amp Live. He has a new album coming out that I'm chomping at the bit to hear (check the first video, a great number about an android dude who steals styles called "Gary is a Robot," here). And he's just announced a new Internet radio station, B ... More >>

Hip-Hop’s High Priest

​2010 is gonna be a busy year for local producer whiz Amp Live. He has a new album coming out that I'm chomping at the bit to hear (check the first video, a great number about an android dude who steals styles called "Gary is a Robot," here). And he's just announced a new Internet radio station, B ... More >>

Outside Lands Post-Script

EKAphotographyVinyl Vamp: Zap Mama​ Fickle weather and last-minute headliner replacements aside, Outside Lands was a success, by most yard sticks. Here's what folks are saying about the three-day extravaganza, which drew more than 100,000 people to Golden Gate Park: Local reaction: The Chron ... More >>

Om Launches Apparel Line Tonight - Free Booze

Amped up: Amplive​ Hey there, thirsty, fashionable devotees of electronic music! Tonight (6-9pm) at Azalea, Om Records lunches its hot new apparel line. Music will be provided by Amplive--the production half of Zion-I, who is releasing a solo album on Om subsidiary Child's Play--and the ubiquitou ... More >>

BRWN BFLO Album Out Today

EKAphotographyBuffaloes in Sepia: BRWN BFLO In case you forgot, or didn't remember in the first place, today is Cinco de Mayo. And what better way to celebrate Mexico's victory over the French army on May 5, 1862, than by copping the new album from Oakland's BRWN BFLO, which hit stores this morning ... More >>

Zion-I Tour Hits SF on Friday

EKAphotographyZumbi of Zion-I Local heroes Zion-I are currently completing a West Coast swing in support of their hot new release, The Takeover. How nice of them to stop through Slim's on Friday before continuing on to points East, including Chicago, Michigan, Vermont, New York, and Ontario. Their ... More >>

Zion-I perform at NAACP Anniversary Celebration

EKAphotographyZion-I crew The NAACP turns 100 this year, and youth outreach is on their mind. Perhaps inspired by Barack Obama's historic Presidential campaign--and the large number of young voters who participated in the process--they've joined forces with a new activist group, "Citizen Hope," and ... More >>

Zion-I's Ex-Manager Eats Last Piece of Chicken

EKAphotographyThe culprit: Rob C. Last night's Zion-I record release party at 330 Ritch's "Pacific Standard Time" really demonstrated why that spot has become the go-to Tuesday night weekly for the urban crowd. Despite the lack of a dress code--sneakers and/or a hoodie were acceptable attire--there ... More >>

Zion-I Return with New Album, Studio, Remix Contest

EKAphotography copyright 2009. all rights reservedZion-I and Goapele at the Zoo. If you've been waiting for local hip-hop to get back on track following a so-so 2008, you'll be overjoyed to know that The TakeOver, Zion-I's long-awaited follow-up to True & Livin', is upon us. Vibrantly electrifi ... More >>

Zion I

The Takeover (Gold Dust Media)

Last Night: Bang Data at the Elbo Room

Bang Data at the Elbo Room January 12, 2009 Review by Eric K. Arnold Photos by EKAphotography What more could anyone ask from a Tuesday night in the Mission than discovering both a new favorite taqueria and a new favorite band? First the taqueria: Los Coyotes on 16th (in-between Mission and Valenci ... More >>

Easy Bay's inventive hip-hop heads Zion I and Trackademicks

Bang Data at the Elbo Room January 12, 2009 Review by Eric K. Arnold Photos by EKAphotography What more could anyone ask from a Tuesday night in the Mission than discovering both a new favorite taqueria and a new favorite band? First the taqueria: Los Coyotes on 16th (in-between Mission and Valenci ... More >>

Juno, Preggo Porn, Erik Otto, and SF Sketchfest - Your Monday Morning Hangover

Bang Data at the Elbo Room January 12, 2009 Review by Eric K. Arnold Photos by EKAphotography What more could anyone ask from a Tuesday night in the Mission than discovering both a new favorite taqueria and a new favorite band? First the taqueria: Los Coyotes on 16th (in-between Mission and Valenci ... More >>

Treasure Island Fest Set Times Announced

Bang Data at the Elbo Room January 12, 2009 Review by Eric K. Arnold Photos by EKAphotography What more could anyone ask from a Tuesday night in the Mission than discovering both a new favorite taqueria and a new favorite band? First the taqueria: Los Coyotes on 16th (in-between Mission and Valenci ... More >>

Treasure Island Booty

A Guide to Getting Shipwrecked This Weekend

French robots rule! Daft Punk takes the lead at the summer's biggest dance party

A Guide to Getting Shipwrecked This Weekend

M.I.A., DJ Shadow, and Modest Mouse: shipwrecked on Treasure Island!

A Guide to Getting Shipwrecked This Weekend

Various Artists

Om Hip Hop Volume One (Om Hip Hop)

Zion-I & the Grouch

Heroes in the City of Dope (Om Hip-Hop)

Hip Hop 101: the Underdogs/Alt-Rock 101: the Secret of Their Overseas Success/ DJ Culture 101: the Critical Mash Honors Club

Heroes in the City of Dope (Om Hip-Hop)

Zion-I get "Paid" again

Heroes in the City of Dope (Om Hip-Hop)

Zion I

Hip hop's hope for uniting the underground and the streets

Award Show Guide

Americana/Folk/Country DJ/Turntablist Electro/Electronic/Experimental Hard Rock Hip Hop Indie Rock/Noise Pop Jazz Soul/R&B World Music Music Video

BeatBox

The Team declares "It's Gettin' Hot"; rappers Guru and Kool Keith get smooth and batshit crazy, respectively

Psychokinetics

Seven League Boots

BeatBox

Mu brings the techno stompdown to Rx; Mighty hosts a hip hop jammy-jam block party

Zion I

True & Livin'

Celebrate Good Times

Local soul music success story Goapele talks about getting to the top, and staying at the top

Hear This

All-star MCs line-up for the "Cali Comm 2004" tour; Sondre Lerche is one more reason to love Norway

BeatBox

All-star MCs line-up for the "Cali Comm 2004" tour; Sondre Lerche is one more reason to love Norway

SF Weekly Music Awards 2003

Americana DJ/Selector/Turntablist Electronic/Electro Hard Rock/

Metal Hip Hop/Rap Jazz Latin/

International Lifestyle Music New Genre/Beyond Pop Punk Rock/Indie Rock Soul/Funk/ R&B

If music be the brandy of the damned, then we're drunk off our asses

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

If music be the brandy of the damned, then we're drunk off our asses

Expensive Tastes

Rap duo Zion I can't stop being innovative, no matter what the costs

SF Music Awards 2001

An exotic adventure into the mysterious world of sound!

Mission:

One (Insiduous Urban)

Changing the True School

Berkeley's Zion I is out to prove that hip hop and drum 'n' bass aren't strange bedfellows