Zion 1

Article and photos by Steven Anderson

Zion I was a duo consisting of Baba Zumbi and Amp Live when they released their first Album “Mind Over Matter” to critical acclaim in the year 2000. It wasn’t until his 10th album in 2017 that Zumbi decided to go solo and released his album “Labyrinth”.  So, he had lots of material to draw from as he opened for Matisyahu at The Music Box in San Diego.

When Zumbi took the stage the venue was literally packed to the rafters with a capacity audience of 700 people.  He dazzled and mesmerized the fans until he had them all dancing and responding to his every move. Zumbi’s body is his instrument and along with the cadence of his voice, he bobs and weaves and gestures each syllable of his positive and upbeat lyrics through his hands in perfect rhythm to the beat and melody of the songs. Zion 1 uses his body as a tool in a new form of alt-rap hip-hop language. This is a language born out of the body that calls for change on a global as well as a personal level.The message he sent out was that of positive energy. A crowd favorite was the song Coastin" from "The Take Over" album. Its catchy lyrics and alt-hip-hop beat that blasted out of a huge subwoofer in front of the stage was a tribal call to dance as one. As he finished his set, Zumbi had the crowd in the mood for more great music to come from Matisyahu.
https://zionicrew.com/

  Set List:

Boom Bip Silly Puddy Zion 1 Trippin Many Styles The Music Box in Little Italy San Diego Human Being The Bay November 10, 2017 Saving Souls Lose Ya Head Birds Eye View Coastin'

All photographs are copyrighted images.