Bay Area MC Zumbi of Zion I is experiencing one of the most challenging years of his life. Not only is he having to learn how to navigate his career without his former partner-in-crime/producer Amp Live, he’s also running his own indie label, juggling three children (including a newborn), rocking shows, and making art from home. Most people would buckle under the pressure, but Zumbi sees it as a chance to grow both spiritually and emotionally.
As he prepares to release The Labyrinth, his first full-length album since Amp left the group, there’s a sense he’s anxious to get his work out into the world. Full of deep spiritual insights and a healthy dose of encouraging words, Labyrinth encompasses all of the hurdles he’s faced this year and how he overcame them. Coupled with innovative production and hard hitting beats, The Labyrinth easily reels in fans of the former incarnation of Zion I. The album drops on October 27 via his Mind Over Matter Records imprint, and features Deuce Eclipse and Codnay Holiday, and production from Ariano, Mikos the Gawd, Teeko and Decap. In the RAPstation interview, Zumbi talks about the new album, current cultural climate and gentrification of Oakland.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): Tell me about the album title, The Labyrinth. Where did that come from?
Zumbi: I chose the title The Labyrinth because of all of the trials I was experiencing while creating the album. I lost one of my life long homies, nana and pops all within the expanse of about 18 months. It was traumatic dealing with all that loss at once. In addition to that, my long term partner Amp left the group. I also left my management and my booking agency. In a lot of ways, I view this album as a rebirthing process. The Labyrinth is a walking meditation, where I walk the listener through all my trials and tribulations, with the intent that once we get to the center of the labyrinth, there will be clarity and understanding. I want this album to help people to reflect and feel stronger about wherever they are in life.
How are things now that Amp is no longer part of Zion I? Has that been a hard adjustment?
Yes, it has definitely been an adjustment. Initially, it took me a minute to find producers that I was really feeling. There was definitely a learning curve to being more active and reaching out to more folks than I was used to. At the same time, I feel like it was empowering to me because now, I have to command all of the energy and direct it as I see fit. It’s all on my shoulders. It’s heavier, but it’s also making me stronger to carry the full load.
Your family is clearly very important to you. How do they influence your work?
Truly, God and my family are my priorities in life. I strive to make music that will speak to them long after my physical form has passed on. I want them to be able to play my music or watch a video and feel my essence when they are older. With that, I do my best to speak from a spiritual standpoint as much as I can. I want them to get the real me, not the anger or the ego, but the peace, happiness and strength that my existence embodies.
In this internet era, what about the sheer amount of music available at people’s fingertips makes an artist’s career more difficult? Easier?
It's a trip because this is my first full length studio album in four years and the vibe has changed a lot. I feel like music and media in general is sort of like an avalanche falling on our consciousness. It’s hard to block it all out, unless you are very grounded. It's also difficult to sift through all the white noise to find what you really like when you are constantly getting pummeled with all of these random ideas. Of course, I'm speaking from the standpoint of a man with three children that runs an indie label and creates art from home [laughs]. I think it makes being consistent with content even more important, as people will tune in and out, but if your signal is strong and clear, they always know where to go to catch that vibe. It’s something that I've realized and thus have an arsenal of projects to follow up this new album. I have a Tonite Show with DJ Fresh dropping next, the ZGE (Zion I, Grouch & Eligh) album on deck for late next year and project with Locksmith amongst others. Now that I'm building momentum again, it’s easier to keep it moving than to start over from a stop.
Where are you finding lyrical inspiration lately?
There is inspiration everywhere. My family, my kids—the wonder with which they view the world is amazing and really grounds me. The crazy nature of our society right now with the way technology is able to show us the callous nature with which we still treat one another is so loud that is deafening. Plus, just the enjoyment of the music, it brings me satisfaction and release. This is my meditation fam.
From what I’ve read, you touch on some pretty heavy topics revolving around police shooting deaths. What are your thoughts on our crazy cultural climate right now?
I feel like it’s always been this way in the United States. We're just able to view it on video now and share the results instantly. It really is nothing new, which is sad. However, it doesn't make it any less traumatizing to see folks gunned down in cold blood because of what? Fear? Power? Ignorance? My hope is that society is evolving to a higher level, and that these issues are revealing themselves because they need to be flushed from our collective system for us to continue growing. But I know that there is a ton of denial in this country. If a certain group of people don't experience something, they try to deny the existence of that reality for others. This is a stunted state of consciousness. It lacks compassion, and I truly believe that it shows a lack of empathy and self love. My goal is to stay focused on what I know is right for myself and my family and to not be swayed regardless of the weather outside.
Why do you think it’s important to stay vocal?
Hip Hop is about community empowerment to me. The artists who inspired me, made me feel good about who I am, they taught me to see the world in a higher, more enlightened way. I want to do the same for others. It is our duty to speak out when we see injustice or inequality. Otherwise, we might as well join the other side. The world becomes a dark place when good people stand aside and do nothing. This is not the world that I want my children to inherit.
Tell me about the concept behind “Tech $” and what made you want to write that song.
Gentrification has swept through Oakland like a raging floodwater displacing lifelong residents, artists and everyone in between. It’s sad the way that this city has changed so quickly. The run off tech industry from San Francisco has led to Oakland being a hip and affordable option for out of towners who work in San Francisco, but can't afford to live there. I wanted to speak about my personal experience with it to show that it’s not all sweet when "industry" comes in and floods an area. Many people don't understand that the little person can be negatively impacted so harshly, when everyone "seems" to be making money. Not everyone in the Bay Area is benefitting from the tech industry. A lot of us are losing our homes and our businesses as greedy landlords jack up rents to push out old residents to get a taste of that new money. I wanted to show this callous system for what it is.
How do you feel the days leading up to a new record release?
Right now, I am feeling the pressure because I'm running my own label and I'm wearing so many different hats trying to get everything right. In addition to that, I have the newborn, so I'm not sleeping normally which doesn't help.
What do you hope this album does for listeners?
I hope that listeners will feel more clarity about the struggles they walk with in this life. That they get a sense of relief in knowing that although we all struggle with one thing or another, we will get through it, and once we do, we can enjoy the sweet joy and wonders that life has to offer—peace. I hope you all walk in light and love.
