Description
Colored Vinyl: Disc 1: Grape & Disc 2: Lemon
LIMITED TO 400 UNITS WORLDWIDE!
Mind Over Matter by Zion I stands as a powerful testament to the group’s innovation in hip-hop, but it carries a deeper weight following the untimely passing of Baba Zumbi in 2021. Zumbi's conscious lyricism and spiritual presence were the heart and soul of Zion I, and his passing left an undeniable void in the hip-hop community.
The 2000 release of Mind Over Matter combined Zumbi's socially conscious rhymes with producer Amp Live’s futuristic beats, creating a sound that was both ahead of its time and deeply rooted in the traditions of hip-hop. Tracks like the Planet Asia assisted “Critical” and “Inner Light” are emblematic of this balance, where complex lyricism meets genre-bending production. The album’s themes of self-awareness, community, and resilience resonate just as strongly today, showcasing Zion I’s unique ability to fuse the personal with the political in a way that feels both intimate and revolutionary.
For these reasons and more, the album was heralded with much acclaim, even earning a nomination for Album of the Year by The Source in 2000, and later being ranked among the 30 best underground hip-hop albums since 2000 by HipHopDX. These accolades solidified its influence in the underground hip-hop space.
In celebration of the album’s 25th anniversary, Mind Over Matter is being reissued through Live Up Records in partnership with Coalmine Reissues. This special edition will not only serve as a tribute to the genius of Zion I but also as a celebration of Baba Zumbi's enduring legacy. His spirit lives on through these songs, offering fans old and new a chance to reconnect with the timeless messages he left behind.
Side A:
A1. Creation
A2. Revolution (B-Boy Anthem)
A3. Critical (feat. Planet Asia)
A4. Mysterious Wayz
A5. Tha Choice
A6. Koncrete Jungle
A7. Metropolis
Side B:
B1. Oh Lawd
B2. Trippin
B3. How Many
B4. Elevation
Side C:
C1. A Little Change
C2. Fools Gold
C3. Venus
C4. Rap Degreez
C5. Silly Puddy (feat. The Grouch)
Side D:
D1. Inner Light
D2. Big Ups
D3. All The Way (feat. Eclipse 427, Knowmatic & Rasco)
D4. One
This Collector’s Edition 2XLP features remastered audio by D-Sane at Digital Age Sound (Seattle, WA).
“Oakland duo Zion I has been heralded by critics as one of the best artists to come out of the Bay Area’s legendary underground world.”-HipHopDX
”With this refreshing and uplifting effort, Berkeley's Zion I distinguish themselves amongst the bustling Bay Area scene.” -Exclaim!