Album Description: Zion-I's new album, True & Livin’, is the Oakland based duo’s third full-length release. Organic soulful compositions, conscious and insightful vocal wordplay and lush strings, horns and bass lines comprise the fabric of their best album to date. In the vein of OutKast and The Roots, Zion-I have successfully cultivated legions of fans equally impressed by their amazing live stage show as their superb recorded material. Composed of producer Amp Live and emcee Zion and featuring Talib Kweli, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Del (The Funky Homosapien) and Aesop Rock, True & Livin’ will continue to prove that quality, musical Hip-Hop will prevail!
Consciously Focused Hip Hop Legends These brothers are so intelegent that their material could be the subject of books because their introspection is so clear, relevant and thoughtprovoking. Mindover Matter was mindblowing and True & Livin is another head banger-lyrically and well as musically. I have the highest respect for brothers whose music is so evidently focused on the state of our community. They are consistent track after track that you know some serious thought was put into the material. As long as you keep making this kind of music you will always have a serious committed fan base. The tracks are so progressive, accentuating the interpretation of the lyrics. This is definately an asset because many artist in this genre have hard beats, and nice tracks overshadowing the lyrics, mostly because they aren't saying anything anyway and they know it themselves. The fans then just focus on the track and tune out the message which is a blur. Not Zion I, they enunciate, pronounce and showcase their lyrics to complement the track so your head can nod, with your third eye open, all in unison. They are phenomenal, complete and a complement to the Hip Hop Nation. Truthfully they are the toast, butter and any flavor marmalade you could wish. WORD
A FUTURE CLASSIC This release is amazing, probably one of the best complete albums of the last 10 years. It has grown on me quite a bit since the first listen over a year ago. My favorite track is the hidden/bonus at the very end, but essentially it is a non-skip record, which is almost impossible to find.
really tight Solid album. Forget hyphy, THIS is Bay Area.
Stand outs are Bird's Eye View (incredible beat), Temperature (lotta heart went into that), and The Bay.
Great Album. GREAT ALBUM!! True rap, real rap, amazing beats with amazing rappers = pure great rap. i recommend this album to anyone who really appreciates real rap. GREAT ALBUM. ps. check out all their music. their great rappers
FEEL GOOD MUSIC i'ma keep it short,this album just makes you feel good when you hear it.the beats,rhymes,& guest appearances by other artists all compliment each other.only vice is that there are like 3 songs i skip,otherwise it would be 5 stars.stand out track is "poems 4 post modern decay" with aesop rock.definitely check this one out,worth ya money.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
