I've been listening to Z-Ro since 2001 and I've got to say, I don't understand why Scarface has put any faith in any of them other suckers he's been signing. Z-Ro is hottest asset. Z-Ro's Life of Joseph McVey was AMAZING and he followed it up with Let The Truth Be Told which should be in the Rap Hall of Fame. I don't understand why Ro isn't among the most famous rap-stars of all time, and little punk-A.B.s like T.I. and trash like Chingy, Diddy, and Lil Flip get attention when they aren't real. This boy is a man. He knows what it is to be down on your luck in the hood. He is THE FIRST REAL GANGSTA since TUPAC. I'm not telling a lie. Skip this album, and you'll skip one of the top 3 rappers of all time. Like he said, "Tupac and Biggie done died, so now they ready for the South Side."
Houston legend Z-Ro's debut album was 1998's "Look What You Did to Me," an independent release that's increasingly hard to find, which is a shame because it's a brilliant debut and a historic one too. I feel this album captures Z-Ro at his purest, a young, hungry MC with the incredible talent and soul that would make him one of hip hop's best, if not underrated, rappers.
It's not so much Z-Ro's subject matter that sets him apart; like many of his Houston brethren, he raps about poverty, crime, and struggle. Rather, it's his vocal stylings and the raw emotion he pours into his songs. If you took elements of Scarface, 2Pac, and Krayzie Bone, you might have somebody that sounded somewhat like Z-Ro. His deep, versatile voice delivers furious triple-time rhymes with startling clarity, and also sings each of his own hooks in a mournful baritone like a regular bluesman. His verses convey strong passion and immense feeling, and he's really a powerful and effective lyricist to behold.
On "Look What You Did to Me," Z-Ro wows as a stone-faced, dead serious virtuoso. Quite similar in sound and quality to his group Guerilla Maab's 1999 album
, the fifteen tracks find him lamenting upon the life of a Houston survivor, with rich storytelling and an incredibly somber mood. An appealing aspect of Z-Ro's music is that with so much pain in his verses, he maintains an element of spirituality by always looking toward heaven through the struggles he raps about. After this album, Z-Ro was sometimes likened to 2Pac's heir apparent, and there are numerous instances here where a line or chorus sounds identical to one of Pac's.
Some of the album's powerful, sobering mood must be attributed toward the criminally overlooked Rakesh, who also produced
. Despite his apparently basic production equipment, he outfits Z-Ro with an array of phenomenal, heavy, slow beats rich with dark piano and deep instrumentals. The music fits Z-Ro perfectly and while excellent throughout, it never steals the spotlight from the MC, which makes them all the more valuable. I find Rakesh a really impressive producer and it's too bad he was so unknown. Guests are limited to the Screwed Up Click and Guerilla Maab family, including T.A.Z., Bam, Trae, Al-D, Chris Ward, and the Fakkulty.
Z-Ro starts the album with T.A.Z. on "Guerilla Till I Die," a strong and rough opener. The deeply personal title track is a highlight and a really exemplary work of his style. Bam, Trae, and T.A.Z. guest on the impressive, sinister "City of Killers," and both Z-Ro and Al-D shine over Rakesh's gem on "Life Story." "Ghetto Crisis" has a chilling beat, and Z-Ro and T.A.Z. use a dancehall-inspired delivery for most of the song to surprising success. After the nice "Pimp On" comes the memorable "Mercy" with the Fakkulty, which has great production as well. Z-Ro spits some of his most potent verses on "Where Is the Love," and I love the hook on the great "R U Down."
My two favorite tracks follow. "Dedicated 2 U" is a disturbing diss to a nameless victim, with a menacing beat and absolutely phenomenal performance from Z-Ro and Chris Ward. "Lord Tell Me Why" interpolates the same Five Stairsteps hook as in 2Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up," and it has an extremely catchy, sunny beat and inspired lyricism from Z-Ro. "Tall Tale of a G" is a great running narrative, and the three closers, especially the deep "And 2 My Gs" and the creepy "Z-Ro the Crooked" are nice too.
If you have heard the hype but are still sleeping on Z-Ro, I can't encourage one enough to check him out. If you can get your hands on it, "Look What You Did to Me" is a wonderful debut and a good starting point, because he has a huge discography that's tough to navigate with a number of mixtapes, side projects, group releases, and unofficial albums. It shows the roots of one of rap's most prolific. In any event, Z-Ro is a master and one of the finest, most unique rappers to emerge from Texas, and listening to his music can be an amazing experience. I highly recommend "Look What You Did to Me."
I just want to let the hold world no that Z-RO is by fore the realist rapper from Texas. If you haven't heard of him, he is somebody you need to start listen to. Every since I started listen to Z-RO I been a big fan. Everything he talk about in his music I can relate to. It's just like we lived the same struggles. Jammin Z-RO is how I maintain and get through each and every day. So if you like that real music, cop that Z-RO.
Man, I've been tryin to find this forever! Got it off of THE auction site (you know which one), brand new, and this one is his rawest of his albums. THE JAM of course is the title track, and for those that DON'T KNOW, you need to check it out on DJ Screw - Blue 22. every track jams, but my favs are 4 and 14. the hardest g's are gonna love 1, 4, 5, 8, 12, and 15. what seperates this from his recent ones is the rawer production, the sound isn't as 'polished' as these new ones like 'Life', but the real g's know what i sayin.
Peace!
What's the deal? All I gotta say is that boy Ro is off the chain can't nobody get on his level. I've been listening to that boy since 98 and I've been on it every since. He been to the Co (Waco) about 3 times live in concert and every song he flow'd I rapped it word for word. Everybody I know I done put them on that Ro cause they haven't even heard of him until a couple of years ago. I thought I was his #1 fan but checking out this website I see a lot of people got love for that boy. There is not one CD that don't jam. Now that my boy done signed with Rap a lot I wanna c him doin it big on the big screen, videos and shows on bet etc.
