Zion I Announce They Are Splitting, But Make Final Project Available (EP Stream)

Oakland, California duo Zion I has nearly 20 years in the books, dating back to 1998’s “Inner Light.” However, Zumbi (a/k/a MC Zion) and Amp Live have announced that they are officially, and amicably splitting. The news comes with the group living in different cities for several years now, and Amp’s increased outside production output (Eligh, Goapele, Finale).

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Per a report at 2DopeBoyz, Zumbi will maintain the group name, and Amp may contribute some production, on a limited basis, in the future. Slum Village, following the departure of J Dilla operated similarly, through multiple albums.

Besides compilations and EPs (which they released many), Zion I’s catalog contains nine studio albums, two of which were marquee features for The Grouch (Living Legends). The group also appeared on albums by Latyrx, Too Short, and Guru, as well as The Jacka—who was confirmed dead earlier this week.

With the news, Zion I offered up a free, full stream of their 2015 EP, The Sun Moon and the Stars (February 3). The five-song effort was released on the duo’s own Mind Over Matter imprint.

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What’s your favorite Zion I track?

Related: Zion I, Sadat X, Opio, Mr. Lif, Kev Choice & Deuce Eclipse Get It In (Video)