Record Store Day is cool and all, but let us not neglect the other holiday that’s been going on today, It’s National Weed Smoking Day. *deep inhale* I’ve been “celebrating” since sunrise so please excuse any typos (they probably won’t be corrected). The plan was to post this at 4:20 on 4/20, but yeah, weed tends to destroy any type of punctuality. I’ll keep the commentary to a minimal, but you already know all your favorite weed smoking rappers had to drop some music today, so get it all here, as well as any other 4/20 related content I found in my inbox. To break things up there are plenty of stoner friendly gifs in there too (mostly stolen from Buzzfeed). Roll up and click away, let this post enhance what’s left of the holiday.

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Zion I producer Amp Live definitely got my attention yesterday with the release of his bass heavy song “D.H.E.A.” Today, we get the full EP, Kaleidoscope Theory (The Color EP). The 8 track release is meant to serve as a preview for Amp’s upcoming LP set to drop this fall via Plug Research. Listen/download the EP below.

>>>Download

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Zion I unlock the mystery of “ShadowBoxing” with some fresh new visuals for their latest album’s title track (calm down Wu heads, I know). Zumbi and Amp Live got off their national tour just in time to drop the deluxe edition of ShadowBoxing on iTunes featuring new unreleased songs and remixes. To celebrate the release, they also hit us with this Michael Sato directed video. The show don’t stop though, accompanied by A-1, Zion I hit the road again starting tonight in Spokane, Washington (dates after the jump).

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Those expecting a Wu-Tang-inspired record–due to the album’s title–are going to be disappointed, because the similarities end there. Producer/DJ AmpLive has always used electronic influences in his production, but on their latest record, he dives head first into a pool of synthesizers and glow sticks. “Human Being” features extremely heavy 808 kicks and a trance breakdown (and let’s not forget a Bassnectar remix as a bonus track). On stand out “Joe Frazzzier” Amp drops a full-fledge trance beat, and hits harder than the boxer the song is titled after. And “Re-Load” could very well be worked into any rave playlist.

Personally I’ve always listened to Zion I for AmpLive’s production first, and Zumbi’s raps are just icing on the cake. For those who are alienated by Amp’s extreme electro productions, they will still enjoy Zumbi’s positive, everyman raps. Zumbi’s lyrical achievement comes in the form of the album’s most fleshed-out track, “Life’s Work,” in which he raps about overcoming relationship struggles. Zumbi does get outshined on “Trapped Out” by Dust, who delivers a flawless double-time flow. But other than that, he manages to hold his own with The Grouch and Eligh on closer “We Don’t.”

This is an album backpackers and purists are going to absolutely loathe. But those people tend to take hip-hop too seriously anyway, and try to force it inside of a box. Zion I certainly isn’t re-inventing the hip-hop wheel with ShadowBoxing (in fact countless artists are rapping over electronic production–in the past couple of years alone Jay-Z, Kanye, J. Cole and Lupe all rapped dub-step beats). But Zion I manages to do what few artists are able to do, combine these genres with enjoyable results.

- Zach Gase

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Zion I may be planning on dropping a video for every song on thier recently released LP, ShadowBoxing, which would be just fine with me. Today, we get visuals for a personal favorite of mine (love that hook), “Trapped Out” featuring D.U.S.T. and Codany Holiday. Video shot by Anthony Cole and edited by Spencer Groshong. The hustle don’t stop there, catch Zion I on the road as their nationwide tour continues, dates after the jump. Cop ShadowBoxing via iTunes.

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As Bay Area duo Zion I continue to travel the map on their ShadowBoxing tour, they drop off another new visual from their recently released LP. Watch the drift heavy video for the DexBeats produced track “Re-Load.” Video directed by Sato Studio. Check out Zion I’s remaining tour dates after the jump. ShadowBoxing is in stores now.

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Bay Area duo Zion I just dropped their 8th studio album today, ShadowBoxing. The LP has features from Bassnectar, The Grough & Eligh, Collie Buddz, Goapele, and more. Ever pushing the boundaries of hip-hop and keeping their shit fresh and new, I assure you this is one you’ll want to purchase. If you need further convincing listen to a stream of the album after the jump, courtesy of DJ Booth. You’ll also find their latest video, “Human Being,” after the jump. Cop ShadowBoxing now via iTunes.

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Okayplayer is extremely amped to premiere the 2nd release off J. Period‘s mixtape with Zion I,  Bomb First. Like the first leak, this one is a soundclash-ready refix of a song which happens to be one of our favorites in recent years. First time out it was Little Dragon‘s “Ritual Union” and now we get their Drake-inspiring collabo with innovative electronic producer and 1-man tribe SBTRKT. Zion I get it in ably over the now-infamous synth growls, proving they can lace manchild flows equal to any Young Money radio banger and still drop science that’s pH-balanced for a real rap fan. Stream or download it below and get the full frontal mixtape assault via www.jperiod.com/zioni.

>>>Download

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Don’t say we never did a warn you! Zion I and J. Period‘s new mixtape Bomb First dropped on the web like a megaton of fissile material today and with weapons-grade refixes of everybody from Little Dragon to Nas (find the back cover with full tracklisting after the jump) it lives up to it’s name and then some. Stream below via J’s soundcloud and then hit www.jperiod.com/zioni for the free download. And in your excitement, don’t forget that this is just the first wave to hit the beaches, the next massive attack is Zion I’s new LP Shadow Boxing which hits stores October 2nd.

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Our homie J. Period, maker of ill mixtapes both live and recorded, has teamed up with underground kings Zion I to produce a newer, iller mixtape called Bomb First. The bomb in question officially drops this coming Tuesday, September 25th but Okayplayer is extremely amped to play host to this premiere of the very first single off the project today, a super-tuff refix of Little Dragon‘s “Ritual Union” in classic dub-plate style (Fuzzy Jones, we see you!). Stream it below and then hit the link at bottom got to:  www.jperiod.com/zioni on Tuesday to download the full Zion I x J. Period mixterpiece featuring Kendrick Lamar, SBTRKT, Azelia Banks, Action Bronson and more. Now, Come down my selector:

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