We are sad to announce that the head MC of Zion I, Zumbi has passed away. The Oakland native was a tremendously gifted Emcee & was well respected amongst his peers in the Bay Area rap scene. We send our condolences to his family & loved ones. #RIPZumbi // Thizzler On The Roof @TheThizzler
from hiphopwired.com // Baba Zumbi, best known as the lead rapper of Bay Area group Zion I, has reportedly died. Details are scant, but friends, fans, and others connected with the rapper and producer have been pouring in their respect via Twitter.
Hip-Hop Wired first learned of Baba Zumbi’s passing from the Twitter account of Hip-Hop artist Flashius Clayton, and we are currently scouring the Internet and other sources to confirm.
Born Steve Gaines, Baba Zumbi was part of the Zion I crew with former members Amp Live and K-Genius before taking on the group name for himself as a one-man-band. Zion I has been active since the late 1990s and was a fixture of the sprawling and versatile Bay Area Hip-Hop scene.
On August 4, Baba Zumbi and Amp Live announced a tour in support of the group’s 20th anniversary and was set to kick off on October 1.
Brothers Perspective Magazine 