Search - Zion I :: Deepwater Slang 2.0

Keepin it Real

ryan c daley | Gunnison, Colorado United States | 02/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was blown away by the mind over matter album Zion I came out with in 2000. I was awaiting their next release and when I finally purchased Deepwater Slang 2.0 the day it came out I poped it in for a thorough listen. Too many hip hop artists sell out even by their second album but fortunately this is not the case with the Zion I crew. Another album of unorthodox bangin beats without a track needing to be skipped. Awesome indeed. The album's beats are a little more party style this time around but by no means commercial. Amp live is possibly one of the best producers today. The album is filled with lush live instramentals, heavy baselines and conscious Zion lyrics. The songs The Drill, Warriors Dance, Flow, Sorry, and Boom Bip are worth the money alone. The others are dope tracks as well but I cant go naming every song on the cd. There are also two bonus tracks after the last song is supposedly played. Buy this cd and you won't be dissapointed. I am into quality conscious rap with solid beats and I sure wasn't. Very impressive!"

Something new

David Azari | Seattle, WA USA | 06/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just got turned onto these guys, and I've liked pretty much every track I've heard. They have a very original sound. The beats are great, and it's been good listening for the car, gym, etc."

Futuristic Hiphop from Cali duo

DukeOfEarl | Phoenix, AZ United States | 01/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The combo of MC Zion and producer Amp-Live prove to be one of the best kept secrets outside of California. I was brought to attention of this group when they recently competed in an MTV2 battle-of-the-bands type program. This is their only album I have at the moment, their debut "Mind Over Matter," which is ranked highly, is out-of-print I believe. But this one was very satisfying.

I believe that Amp-Live MAKES this album. He has to be one of the best producers today. He likes to use a lot of guitar, and plenty other live instruments(sometimes done by himself or Zion). This album is full of spacey, serene, melodic, and most importantly futuristic soundscapes. These beats, along with Zion's rhymes, truly feel like your witnessing the future of Hiphop! Zion may not be the best emcee I've heard, but he's more than capable to be Amp's sidekick. Maybe he's just too abstract for my comprehension. Zion can go conscious, political, spiritual, and definetly funky on any given track, so he does not bog this album down at all. It's just that Amp and his beats are the main attraction. Yes, Zion does have a weird, some say even an annoying voice. I think having a distinguishable and unique voice is an asset to an MC in most cases, and Zion's higher-pitced "little-kid voice" eventually hits you as an asset to their music.



Amp-Live gets three tracks to himself, without any rhymes: the intro "Jahmbo," the title track, and the cool "Kick Snare," with Killa Kela beatboxing(I seriously thought it was Biz Markie). One of the singles "The Drill" is the first song with the two, and should grow on you, especially the second(and last) verse. Tracks 3-6 are definitely the meat of this album. Especially "Finger Paint"(ft. Dust) and "Flow,"(ft. The Grouch) both with have serene and awesome beats with solid rhymes as well. These two just might be the two best of the album. "Warriors Dance"(ft. Pep Love) is a club-type song for the thinkers, if that makes any sense, and has just an outstanding beat. I actually think Pep Love outshines Zion on this track, but they both kick it. "Kharma" is one of my favorites too, and Zion does a little crooning on this one with an insightful message. "A.E.I.O.U." is probably my least favorite track off "Deep Water Slang." It more of a club track too where Zion waters down the lyrics, but it's too short to turn anyone off.

Before you know it, you get to the single and old-school throwback "Cheeba Cheeba" with Hiphop legend and fellow-Californian Aceyalone rockin' it with Zion. This is easily of of my favorite songs here, with Acey one of my personal favs who's rhyming like we haven't heard him in years, and the only flaw of it is the hook. The last five round the album out nicely, but aren't as memorable as the main part of the disc. You have "Sorry" where Zion is sincerely repenting for his wrongdoings and one of Amp's most memorable melodic beats. "Le Le Le"(w/ Dust & Deuce Eclipse) is upbeat and had an annoying chorus at first. Then I found out it was from an African tribal chant, and that turned it around into a good song. I mean, how often do you hear a hook like: "If you really love your mama say Le, Le, Le!"? "Boom Bip" is a slower track with Goapele singing, it's okay but not memorable. "Mind Blow" is hit-or-miss. I'm feelin' it, it's really different and authentic, and kind of a change-of-pace in this album. "Dune" finishes it up, where Zion is speaking in a distorted voice. This track is good, but Zion uncharacteristically says something about giving a girl ecstacy and watching her go insane. ??? Actually, there is a short bonus track "One More Thing"(which is track 31) feat. Suzie Suh that is decent, but "Rock Y'all"(track 34) is really good where Zion gets fiery and political and this is the official end of the album.



This album is consistent, has top-notch beats, great rhymes, and is worth your time. Check it out to witness the future of Hiphop! Everything about it is futuristic. Zion's lyrics are rooted in the old-school, no doubt, but he along with Amp-Live are able to take us to the future of Hiphop and music! I think even rock fans could listen to this and like it, but it's definitely for all you Heads out there. Support these guys, let's hope to keep hearing from them long into the future. I think they have an album coming out this Spring..."