It is with sad news that we have to report that legendary MC Zumbi (Steve Gaines) from the legendary Bay Area Hip-Hop group Zion I has passed away at the age of 47. On Friday, August 13, 2021 the family of the "Coastin'" MC confirmed that Zumbi did in fact pass away. The family did not give a cause of death, however, AllHipHop.com reports that the rapper passed away from complications of COVID-19 and he was not vaccinated.
The family of Zumbi released a statement saying, "“It is with utter disbelief and great sadness that the Gaines family shares the news of the passing of Steve ‘Zumbi’ Gaines on Friday, August 13, 2021. Gaines, 49 and the MC of the critically acclaimed hip-hop group Zion I, passed away at Alta Bates Hospital today in the early morning from unknown causes.”
Zumbi, a Bay Area Native, formed the group Zion I after meeting fellow group member Amp Live at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. The first formed a group called Meta Four but then created Zion I after moving back to Zumbi's hometown of Oakland.
Zumbi is another Bay Area MC that has passed way suddenly in 2021. Digital Underground MC Shock G passed way in April and frequent collaborator of Zion I, Gift of Gab passed away in June.
Numerous MC's, friends and fans shared their condolences of the MC
Zumbi is survived by his three sons, his mother and his brother.
-Natomas Slimm
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