Hip-Hop has suffered another loss. Zion I co-founder Zumbi, aka Steve Gaines, has died at age 49 on Friday (August 13). The veteran Oakland, California MC's family confirmed the news yesterday. "It is with utter disbelief and great sadness that the Gaines family shares the news of the passing of... Read more

Zion I is one of the only Underground Hip-Hop artists who were active in the DIY 1990s and remain so today. Like Talib Kweli, Dilated Peoples, and Atmosphere, and a few others, Oakland, California-based Zion I has stayed the course and remained true to their messages and platform in the... Read more

Throughout the 2000s, Zion I was a trusted source for progressively lyrical, forward-sounding Hip-Hop. Zumbi (f/k/a MC Zion) and Amp Live made important records like "Critical" and amassed a dedicated fanbase. In early 2015, Amp stepped away from his dedicated producer's role. The MC, Zumbi remains at the core of... Read more

February brought some saddening news to many Heads. Zion I, the veteran duo of Zumbi (f/k/a MC Zion) and partner Amp Live are parting ways. The split is amicable, and seems more related to creative directions and geography than anything. However, the Oakland, California group stems out of the 1990s,... Read more

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... Read more

Zion I pulls out all of the stops for "Get Urs." The Oakland-formed duo of MC Zumbi and Amplive link with Sadat X (Brand Nubian), Mr. Lif (The Perceptionists), Opio (Souls Of Mischief), Deuce Eclipse, and Kev Choice for this stellar (and hella colorful) concept video. It's straight bars, and... Read more

AmpLive and Zumbi have always been a step ahead. Oakland, California's veteran duo has seemingly looked to the future in finding their pockets of fuzzed out synths, neck-snapping rhythms, and purism MC deliveries. However, their path also has been blazed with Hip-Hop's (and music in general) past in consideration. In... Read more

Hip-Hop and chess go hand-in-hand, word to DJ Quik. A lot of your favorite MCs, DJs, and producers love to apply lessons learned of the 64 squares to life and competitive art. Dilated Peoples' Rakaa Iriscience, Zion I's Zumbi, and Living Legends' Sunspot Jonz link with the Hip-Hop Chess Federation... Read more

Zumbi from Zion I joins 40Love on a funked-out space age track. Check out Tiki Tiki. Props: 2DBZ Related: Evidence, Zion I & The Grouch - Amp Live for President (Video)... Read more