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Zumbi of Bay Area Hip Hop group Zion I has passed away at the 49 shortly after testing positive for COVID-19.

June 25, 2021 The family requests privacy in this very challenging time while they await further details. Steve is survived by three sons, his mother and his brother. He was working on a Zion I reunion tour with longtime producer and collaborator, Amp Live, to honor the legacy of their musical endeavors for their fans. Sources close to Zumbi say he tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks and was in and out of the hospital but appeared to be on the mend. According to a text from DJ True Justice, who routinely toured with Zumbi, he suffered a catastrophic asthma attack while in the hospital and never recovered. Zumbi of the Legendary Oakland Crew, Zion-I passed away this morning, the text reads. He was recovering from COVID and had a severe asthma attack and his heart stopped. He died in the hospital. They were unable to revive him. A post shared by Project BlowedLA (@projectblowedla) After a six-year hiatus, Zumbi and Amp Livewere gearing up to tour together once again in honor of the duos 2001 album Mind Over Matter. Theyd already booked several dates for a Mind Over Matter 20th Anniversary Tour, which was supposed to kick off on October 1 in Washington, D.C. A post shared by Zion I (@zion_i_crew) Zumbis passing follows the death of another celebrated Bay Area MC, Blackalicious Gift of Gab,who passed away in July. It also comes on the heels of fellow Oakland legend Shock G of Digital Underground who was found dead at a Florida hotel from an apparent overdose. Zumbi of Zion I was a champion MC who represented high level lyricism, high energy stage show, and in a life a good human being on planet earth, fellow Bay Area rapper Jahi tells HipHopDX. Rest easy. Birds Eye View is my all time favorite. Naturally, the Bay Area Hip Hop scene is torn up, but artists from all over the country are sharing their grief on Twitter and Instagram, including Lyrics Born, Macklemore, Evidence, Blueprint, Planet Asia, Immortal Technique and the Living Legends. HipHopDX sends our heartfelt condolences to all of Zumbis loved ones. Rest in peace. ZUMBI RIP Read more