Hip Hop Congress

Hip-hop duo Zion I returns to SLO [San Luis Obispo]

Mustang Daily

One of Oakland’s most respected underground hip-hop duos will stop by the Central Coast to perform at Chumash Auditorium Oct. 26 with an opening act by Cal Poly alum Brian McMullen, also known in the hip-hop community as B-Man.
Zion I and B-Man will make their debut performances at Cal Poly along with acts like DLabric, Rahman Jamaal and local group Public Defendaz.

Tour manager Tim House knew Zion I had a strong following on the Central Coast when the duo drove into town to play at Downtown Brew for their last visit. “Zion I has love in San Luis Obispo because the first thing we heard when we came into town was someone bumpin’ Zion I in their car,” he said.
House also mentioned that college shows have more energy compared to a typical show because the audience is made up of “forward thinkers.”

“It’s different in general because everyone is on the same page. The lyrics challenge people with thought and (college) students get it versus those who don’t.”

The duo has released several albums and EPs and has been featured on mixtapes and collaborations. House says that each one is different. “(Zion I) takes a lot of risk with their music,” he said.

The Hip Hop Congress, a group that fosters an understanding , and Alpha Epsilon Pi are hosting the show as fundraiser.
“Let’s face it, we haven’t really had big hip-hop acts here, so I’m excited that our first show will be historical,” Hip Hop Congress president Rachel Cherny said.

“We’re trying to make SLO a stop for big hip-hop acts to perform between L.A. and San Francisco,” she added. “It seemed like a perfect fit to host the event with the guys of Alpha Epsilon because I knew we would have their loyal support.”
For the past decade Zion I has been making a mark in the hip-hop scene. Producer/DJ Amplive and emcee Zumbi are the two performers that make up the duo. The two are acclaimed for combining positive and poetic lyrics with Amp’s use of live instrumentation and sample mix. The duo is currently on a nationwide tour.

“Zion I is highly respected in the hip-hop community and we’re glad to have them here, said Adam Rouman of Alpha Epsilon Pi. “It is good music, we all love Zion I and I think it’s going to promote campus unity by bringing more campus vibe. We’re also trying to promote socially conscious music and all acts do that.”

Cherny said that Zion I’s manager got in touch with Hip Hop Congress about building a greater fan base on the Central Coast. “Zion I’s manger contacted me over the summer about putting on a show here, and obviously we accepted because we love those guys,” Cherny said.

Zion I isn’t the only headliner taking the stage on Sunday. Public Defendaz, a five-man group out of San Luis Obispo which started in 2006, will also perform. Their music has been described as counter to the stereotype that rap is all money and flash. Hip-hop artist B-Man’s music has been described in a similar manner. “It’s true hip-hop because he raps over his own beats and that’s rare in hip-hop. His music is very progressive, old school brought to 2008 and beyond,” said Cherny.
Tickets will be sold today in the University Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.