Unfortunately, “empowerment” isn’t the first word that comes to mind when discussing modern hip-hop. That’s where Oakland, California hip-hop duo Zion I come into the picture. Playing self-described “feel-good music” with a message of empowerment, this ain’t your ordinary rap group.
“It’s not music about how fly am I, or how much weed I just smoked, although those things may come into it,” jokes the duo’s MC Zumbi. “It’s about individuals empowering themselves and doing what they want. That’s the gift hip-hop gave me, I was able to go and do it; I want other people to be able to experience that empowerment.”
Zumbi is known for his smooth rhyming style and progressive lyrics, but also takes hip-hop into the realm of dubstep, drum and bass, and reggae, thanks to the inventive work of producer DJ AmpLive.
“We kind of do whatever we want and we don’t stay in one pocket,” says Zumbi. “We just go all over the map.”
It’s a musical outlook learned from the innovators of hip-hop and passed down through generations of musicians who aren’t afraid to do their own thing, especially in an age where being an individual isn’t such a financial risk.
“There was a lot of diversity in early hip-hop and you had to be original or unique or you were a biter or a perpetrator, you know?” says Zumbi. “And now people aren’t afraid to do off-kilter or wacky things and it’s still dope. You can’t deny creativity.”
DJ AmpLive moving out of Oakland has made Zumbi look outside the group’s core duo, now with nine full-length albums out, and towards a whole new generation of producers and DJs.
“When he moved I reached out to a lot of producers, a lot of young guys in Oakland, and that’s exciting because all of these years it’s always been Amp and now I’m starting to get more guys involved,” he says.
With a steady diet of touring and recording, Zumbi decided to dig his heels in, despite whatever challenges came his way, and he says he’s a better songwriter for it.
“It’s life on planet Earth, so there’s going to be ups and downs, and sometimes it’s a struggle,” he says. “We’re indie artists and we’re doing everything ourselves, and in my mind the love of the music is what is pushing us forward.”
Zion I
Wednesday, February 6
Club 9ONE9
strathconahotel.com/club9one9