Zion I Crew's: The Take Over!!!

At The Zoo recording studios in Oakland, California. This was the pre-release listening party for Zion I's new upcoming album The Take Over. Scheduled to drop in the near future so keep those eyes and ears open. More info at www.zionicrew.com


Our good friend Shireen is actually a rep for the crew so she invited us to enjoy the party. Me and Gina made our way out to the studio. It was pouring out, like literally cats and dogs going across the bay bridge... I was just juiced in the fact we'd have a chance to be rubbing elbows we some really talented artists who we've admired and respected for many years. Being avid music lovers, we try to take advantage of such opportunities.

The guests made their way to the main studio where all the equipment was set up to see Zion I perform a lil bit. Me and G found a spot right in front of course... While we were standing there we noticed people sitting in chairs behind us so we started thinking, A) We should respect the other guests watching the performance, and sit down on the floor, which we didn't mind or B) Fuck it! Its music you listen not watch it. One guy behind us was drunk and said "you gonna be standing there all night!?" We both looked back like "yeah!, we bout to dance, foo! You must not know who we is!" haha But respectfully we took a seat. So we sat there patiently waiting for them. I was chillin' sippin' on my Stella when DJ Amp Live appears. Now, for starters I did not know how tall this guy was. He's enormous. I wish I got a pic for you to see. But anyways, he goes and starts checking the mics to make sure they soundin' tight. He glances over at us and was like "ya'll can't be sitting down, we need you on your feet, dancin'.." Haha we looked back at that guy and was like "can't argue with the artist." That guy got served. After that in comes Zumbi accompanied by Deuce Eclipse (another raw MC). He starts making his way through the noice and then eventually he's standing right next to me. At this point i'm like "holy shit! this is tight, haha." Gina was off getting me a drink while I saved our spots, but when she came back she was so surprised to see me and Zion having a deep convo. At first, I waited til he was done talking to another person then just introduced myself. I started telling him how much it meant to me seeing him at the protests after Oscar Grant III was shot in cold blood by a BART officer on New Years Day. Right away his eyes were focused, face stern and was like "Thank you my brotha. These are hard times out here." I felt that.. That they are. We went on for lil bit jaberrin' more then Gina came back. We all got acquainted then Ricky was walking by and popped a shot of all three of us. I'd have to say that was a pretty dope moment for me, when someone who I've listened to for years and never thought I would ever meet took a little time to talk about some real shit. That was dope. After that he went up on stage and murdered it. Literally...



Birds Eye View- Me and G with Zion aka Baba Zumbi of Zion I.




The night was so chill. They were serving three varieties of chicken, sweet potatoes, and strawberries with a fondue fountain, yum. G could not stop eating those, they're her favorite. Oh, did I mention a open bar as well, lol.. Throughout the night we'd explore all the rooms in the studio. You'd walk into one room with a few people and there would be three guys on different key boards just jamming! I mean they were getting down, just vibing off each other's sound. It was dope. The highlight of the night I would have to say was seeing Zion I perform. There ain't nothing like live music, son!!! That bass, wooo! And being in such an intimate setting where the band was literally 5 feet away made it even that more special. During the performance, Algin showed up as well to par take in the night's festivities. The performance was out of sight! So worth it.



Upon exploring, we found this dope graphic on a random wall. It was beautiful. Im gonna have a wall like this in my house one day. This is would be a very inspiring wall to look at if I saw it everyday.



Politickin'- Photographer extraordinaire for the night, Ricky Afuang with the U.F.O. Man, Algin Sterling.

My heart almost stopped when we had this opportunity. She didn't perform but still graced the party goers with her presence. Radiant, the one and only, Goapele with the UFO's.

:-)

Thrash/Groove


Kicks

Business as usual. Peace, G.

"From the first time I saw you, infatuation
Pulled to the side to provide conversation
Wild reputation but you were so cool
Any old fool knew that you was a jewel
Ghetto to ghetto, your influence settled
More hardcore than r&b but not metal
Blacker than the kettle, you made me feel mellow
Introduction to my life, I said "hello"
Meet me in a minute 'cause I gotta finish school
Some of my homies, they never finished puffin' woo's
Stayin' up late, always studying the tapes
The world watched you fall in love, I guess fate had a,
Grip on my mind state, I wanna rhyme, wait
I fell in line, getting signed at the wrong gates
And so my heart braced at first for real
But I would still be lovin' you 'cause deep is what I feel...