This trio of genre-bender pride has made a name for itself on the Bay Area scene by successfully mixing spiritualism and hip-hop. Oakland's MC Zion and DJ/producer Amp Live blend hip-hop and trip-hop beats with lyrics focused on a message of unity, hope, and spiritual awareness. After a couple of indie hits, the trio slowly made inroads while opening for rap royalty like
De La Soul,
Rakim, and Run-D.M.C. Their debut album,
Mind Over Matter, was released in May of 2000 and features collaborations with fellow Bay Area rappers Rasco,
Planet Asia, and the Grouch. Although
Zion I operates out of Berkeley, the group was originally formed in Atlanta, making their music difficult to classify as strictly West Coast hip-hop. Their musical style makes them even harder to define. With a style that borrows from hip-hop, trance, drum'n'bass, and reggae,
Zion I's style is equally mystical and mystifying. ~ Jon Azpiri, All Music Guide