Oakland hip-hop duo, Zion I, are starting off 2010 with a bang ... by hitting the road for a three month U.S. tour with Reggae sensations Rebelution and Soja.

The 20-city tour kicked off last week in Anaheim, Calif. and now continues through early March, hitting cities such as New Orleans, Houston, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Chicago, before things come to a close in Hollywood on March 7th.

"We're excited to go out on the road with these cats," said the duo's MC, Zumbi, "and vibe off an entirely different crowd and audience."

Ten years after the release of their debut single, Zion I released their sixth album, The Takeover, this past year. A filler-free new mix of jabs, roundhouses and uppercuts that continue their streak as one of hip-hop's most diverse groups. It features guest spots by Houston legend Devin the Dude, UK emcee Ty and Rhymesayers' Brother Ali, while producer AmpLive and Zumbi incorporate the best parts of their live show through constant touring, and bring that vibe to the studio.

Over the course of five LPs, and numerous EPs and mixtapes, the group has proven to be a welcome enigma in hip-hop. Lyrically, Zumbi runs the gamut on a range of issues both serious and frivolous, discussing problems and pleasures both spiritual and worldly. Throughout, his fanbase keeps coming back for his smooth delivery and ability to raise issues without sounding didactic. Musically, Amp draws from both the usual (funk, soul) and esoteric (house, drum n bass) to create soundscapes that work as well on an electronic music mixtape as it does hip-hop. An accomplished remixer as well, Amp has remixed everyone from Linkin Park to MGMT, and most recently released Rainydayz Remixes, based on Radiohead's In Rainbows.

Every production and remix, though, always brings it back to his main job in Zion I. "I started using way more effects on this album," Amp said. "So I was able to bring in more elements that I've been using for some of the dance and indie rock stuff."

Headlining the entire tour will be reggae rock favorites, Rebelution. Hailing from Santa Barbara, Calif., Rebelution has developed into the front runner for grassroots, independent and touring driven music groups representing the Cali-Reggae scene. Originally formed in 2004, members Eric Rachmany (vocals / guitar,) Rory Carey (keyboards,) Wesley Finley (drums,) and Marley D. Williams (bass) met in college, while residing in Isla Vista, a popular beachside community in Santa Barbara. It was there that the seeds to Rebelution's future would be planted -- and would instill their kick back, "worry free" vibes, catchy refrain, and optimistic, inspiring, and engaging music that would leave their listeners with the sense that they have the power to make this world a better place.

As far as Zion I, they are offering five free downloads off their current album, The Takeover, on their website, ZionICrew.com/Download.

Confirmed dates are venues are as follows:

1/20 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
1/21 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
1/22 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
1/23 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
1/24 - Eugene, OR @ W.O.W. Hall
1/26 - Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo
1/27 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
1/28 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
1/29 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theater
1/30 - Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
1/31 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
2/02 - Madison, WI Majestic Theater
2/03 - Minneapolis MN Fine Line Music Café
2/04 - Chicago IL House of Blues
2/05 - Grand Rapids MI The Intersection
2/06 - Columbus OH Newport Music Hall
2/07 - Toledo, OH Frankie's
2/10 - Boston MA House of Blues
2/11 - New York NY Fillmore @ Irving Plaza
2/12 - Washington DC 9:30 Club
2/13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Fillmore
2/14 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa *NO SOJA
2/17 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
2/18 - Ybor City, FL @ The Ritz
2/19 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
2/20 - Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live
2/21 - Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live
2/24 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
2/25 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues
2/26 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's
2/27 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
2/28 - San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar
3/02 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
3/03 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
3/04 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
3/05 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
3/06 - W. Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
3/07 - W. Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues