Z-Ro Album: “The Life of Joseph W. McVey [PA]”

Formally of the Guerrilla Maab Click, Z-Ro is back with The Life of Joseph W. McVey. However, now he is with Scarface and Rap-A-Lot Records. Z-Ro has been on many labels. I think he needs to find him a label home and stick with it or start up his own label. This album is phenomenal. If you are a fan of his past albums such as S.U.C. Representa, Life, and Look What You Did To Me then you'll love this album.

Lyrics: A+

Delivery: A+

Style: A

Heart: A

Production: B-

1.On My Grind -5/5 Great Intro, wish it could have been longer.

2.Z-Ro -5/5 He shouts his name, hella tyte beat.One of my favs

3.These Niggaz Feat. Scarface -5/5 He talks about his enemies.

Another one of my favs.

4.King of Da Ghetto -4/5 He describes his street credibility.

5.II Many Niggaz -5/5 He lets you know bout these hataz.

Another one of my favs.

6.I Hate You Bitch -4/5 He talks about his baby mama drama,

smooth beat.

7.Hey Lil' Mama -3/5 It's all about infactuated hoez.

8.So Much -5/5 Talks about his struggle in life.

9.Thatz Who I Am Feat. Trae -4/5 - He describes who he is.

10.Everyday Feat. Trae -5/5 Talks about the everyday struggle,

this is my fav, smooth ass hook and beat.

11.Crooked Officer -4/5 Self explanatory.

12.Why Feat. Tanya Herron -4/5 He answers the question why,

smooth beat.

13.Happy Feelingz -5/5 Deliveries a deep religious message.

14.Z-Ro (Chopped and Screwed)-5/5 Dedicated to DJ Screw (R.I.P.)

15.II Many Niggaz (Chopped and Screwed)-5/5

Don't think that Z-Ro is a newcommer to this game, just before you've never heard his music (which is a pity!). Before signing with Houston powerhouse Rap-A-Lot, Z-Ro had been putting work for many years (since 1998) on the underground, releasing many independent albums. It took 6 years for J Prince to sign Z-Ro and once again J Price showed he's got the eye for the best rappers available on the market. Z-Ro is one of the most unique and special rappers to ever spit lyrics on the mic. His music is deep, very personal and candid. Z-Ro is very much down to earth and is not afraid to bear his soul to the listeners (therefore reminding many of the late 2Pac). Not only he raps with his deep voice (reminding a bit of Scarface), but he also sings all the hooks to his songs, and he's actually very good at this! Just listen to the albums biggest hit "I Hate You B_____". Ro's singins there is untouchable and you can feel his pain on this song and throughout the album as well. This album is more than 4 stars actually. I think it deserve about 4.5 start - just because there are a couple of songs that I didn't really feel (they were still all right but not on the same level as the others on the album). One reason for this is that right before the album was finished, Z-Ro had to do some jail time, so many of the last touches on the album were done without his anticapating. However, this IS a classic album, even though it's not perfect. I am sure that Z-Ro's albums in the future will only get better, since Rap-A-Lot has never delivered a weak album (think about it - is there another rap label that never ever fell off and always kept it real? I don't think so). Production on the album is great and different than anything else on the market (just like Rap A Lot always does). It's soulful, with an RnB feel and only a couple of songs got a hard beat ("Z-Ro" and "Crooked Officer"). Producers include the one and only Mike Dean doing the majority of the beats, as well as Mr. Lee, Tone Capone, Solo and Big Tyme. Guest artists are kept to the minimum - only Scarface delivers a full verse, while the other 2 guests (Z-Ro's partner Trae and singer Tanya Herron) only help out on the hooks. "The life of Joseph McVey is a great album, reminscent of the times, when rappers did have a lot to say, other than flossing and talking about clubbin' and fu___ing top notch girls. Z-Ro is a bright spot in this industry and his first big album shows there still a lot more to come (as long as Z-Ro stays out of trouble of course).

I just moved to Texas not to long ago, and all i heard was Z-Ro this, Z-Ro that. So i went ahead and scooped the CD and i was amazed. This CD goes so hard. Definately worth buying.

This album is a must have for anyone who appreciates real rap. Z-ro Da Crooked is definatly keeping gangsta to the fullest with this off the hook album, he once again amazes me with his vocals and his ability to rhyme fast and slow. So get your mind correct and get this album.

I heard of Z-Ro on a few other peoples albums over the past few years, and I have his album he did with Lil Flip (solid 4 star album - maybe 4.5) and I knew I had to get some of his albums. This is the first solo album of his I have and I am highly impressed. I knew it would be good, but d@mn this is tight! With 15 songs (2 are on here twice, once regular and once screwed up), 1 song is a classic, 2 are almost classics, 1 is ok, and the rest are tight. The man from the Screwed Up Click tells some good stories and has a nice flow (kind of like a mix of Scarface and Bun B) and that makes for a great rapper. With hood tales, deep stories, and personal tales, and some singing (not bad either) this album is great, plus guests are minimal. Production is tight as well and handled by the ones who do most of Rap-A-Lot's work (I'm glad to see a major label back him so he can finally get the exposure he deserves). Mike Dean does 7 songs (1 with Tone Capone), Mr Lee does 4, and Bigg Tyme and Solo each do 1. A must have rap album and I'll be sure to check on some more of his albums.

#1 - 10 (CLASSIC !! great beat -- to bad it's only a min. and half long)

#2 - 9

#3 - 9.5 (f/ Scarface -- nice beat & hook)

#4 - 9 (nice beat and hook)

#5 - 9 (deeper song)

#6 - 8 (about grimy h0es -- Z-Ro does some singin on here)

#7 - 8.5

#8 - 9.5 (deeper song)

#9 - 8 (f/ Trae)

#10 - 9 (f/ Trae -- nice beat)

#11 - 8

#12 - 8 (f/ Tanya Herron -- another deeper one)

#13 - 7

#14 & #15 are screwed up versions of #'s 2 & 5

Jospeh W. McVey -- b. 1977 -- Houston, TX

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