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Z-Ro

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Z-Ro

For the 1950s television show, see Captain Z-Ro.

Z-Ro (born Joseph Wayne McVey on June 6, 1976) is an American rapper from Houston, Texas, known for his "up-from-nothing" rise to fame, flexibility in rhyme and extensive collaboration with other rap artists and musicians. Z-Ro's popularity has increased rapidly recently, as has been featured on Bun B's single "Get Throwed" with Pimp C Jay-Z, and Young Jeezy.

Early life

Z-Ro was born in Missouri City, Texas and was raised in the "Ridgemont 4" neighborhood on the SouthWest side of Houston -- an area notorious for being rife with both gang violence and drug dealing. Z-Ro became involved in such activities at an early age after his mother's death, which was due to complications from cancer.

Early career

It was through hip-hop that Z-Ro found a channel for his experiences in the hood. In his late teens, he relocated to his birthplace of Missouri City(MoCity to the locals) and befriended a local rap group, Street Military, who were signed to EMI. Now a member of Street Military's Killa Klan collective, Z-Ro found himself inducted into DJ Screw's infamous Screwed Up Click in 1997. However, Screw wasn't the only one to pick up on Z-Ro's talent, and what followed over the next five years were a string of independent albums, which were considered by fans and critics around the world to be Down South classics.

Z-Ro's first solo release, Look What You Did to Me, was described by Murder Dog magazine in 1998 as a "ground-breaking record" and a "masterpiece". 1999 saw the release of the equally lauded Rise by the Guerilla Maab, a group Z-Ro formed with his cousin Trae, and brother Dougie D. In 2000 Z-Ro vs. the World, Ro's first album to crack the Billboard charts, was released, followed by King of da Ghetto in 2001. With the release of three solo albums in 2002 - Screwed Up Click Representa, Z-Ro and Life - and a new Guerrilla Maab album, Resurrected, Z-Ro became very well known in Texas as well as around the Southern United States.

In 2004, Z-Ro Tolerance was released by a record company that Z-Ro was no longer affiliated with, but had the rights to publish what material of his they had, and pieced together an album. Less than a month later Z-Ro's first wide release album, The Life of Joseph W. McVey was released on Rap-A-Lot records. Although the album cracked the Top 200 on the Billboard Charts, it failed to meet sales expectations. However the album spawned a hit single, I Hate You Bitch, which garned many spins throughout the South. Soon after that, the first of many legal troubles for the rapper lead him in and out of bars during the summer of 2004.

Recent events

Asylum Records, an independent subsidiary of Warner Bros. Records, struck up a deal with Houston-based Rap-A-Lot Records after seeing major success from fellow Houston-ite rappers Mike Jones and Paul Wall, and Z-Ro's Let the Truth Be Told was released in April of 2005. Once again, the release failed to meet sales expectations, but Z-Ro's national appeal was growing as it debuted at #69. Depite that, it was Z-Ro's best selling album to date, and a favorite amongst his hard-core fanbase. Later in that year, he was featured on Bun B's single "Get Throwed" with Pimp C, Jay-Z, and Young Jeezy, and also made an appearance in the music video.

Since, Z-Ro has been arrested multiple times, and his 2006 album, I'm Still Livin' was released on November 21 while the rapper was in prison. The album sales were similar to his previous album, proving that his profile is still on a steady rise.

On May 8, 2007, Z-Ro will release an independent underground album, Power, through his King Of Tha Ghetto Entertainment label. The majority of this album was recorded at his personal home studio in late 2006, just before his re-incarceration. He handled all of the production duties, and featured artists Pimp C, Mike D and Lil Flip.

Z-Ro is currently incarcerated In The Gist unit in Beaumont,Texas, for possession of a controlled substance. He will be released July 9 of 2007. It is unknown whether or not he will continue to record for Rap-A-Lot after his release, as he'd been unhappy with the label.

Controversy

Trae & ABN

Since late 2005, Z-Ro and Trae have not been seeing eye to eye due to their creative and personal differences. That story was further solidified during Trae's first interview after signing with Rap-A-Lot early 2006. Trae stated that they aren't 'plexin', but they just aren't going to be doing music together. Also adding to the fire are Trae's bitter feeling towards Ro's close friend, Lil Flip.

It all stems from an interview Z-Ro did for 'On The Real Magazine', where he was taking minor shots at Trae and his people. While Trae understood that Z-Ro has been in his own world lately, he said that it wasn't an excuse for the 'smart remarks' he was saying towards him.

Both of the two cousins have stated that they are grown men now, who need to take their own paths in their lives. While Z-Ro still represents ABN Gang, it unlikely that he will be featured in any of their work anytime soon.

Trae's hit single No Help, which featured Z-Ro, wasn't a recent collaboration of the two. It was actually an old song they had recorded for their planned 2nd ABN album together. Trae had recorded new verses with the ones already there from Z-Ro to make it appear as if they were collaborating together.

The same could also be said for Trae's appearances on I'm Still Livin. Trae has not spoken of Z-Ro in publicly as of late, in interviews or concerts. However he did say that at the end of the day they are family, and this period of non-communication would eventually come to an end.

Drug Use Z ro often smokes crack and weed as can be on youtube. Also in late November last year Z ro was being stalked by a fan names Stoney

Shane Mosley

Z-Ro showed up at the last Shane Mosley fight. Apparently, Mosley's son asked Z-Ro for an autograph, in which he did. However, Shane noticed the violent song lyrics on the poster and asked the rapper, if he understood that his son was too young to get such an explicit poster. Z-Ro reportedly replied, "I don't give a f***."

The two got into an argument, and in turn the rappers' entourage jumped in and Shanes' management crew jumped in. The boxing team was outnumbered and Shane Mosley was brutally punched in the eye by Trae (rapper) and then punched multiple times by Z-Ro. Fellow Houston rap artist, Aztek Escobar also got involved in the melee punching Mosley and members of his management. Witnesses say that a man with a firearm was seen outside moments before the dispute erupted. However, investigators have yet to determine who had a firearm. Evidence is still being looked over. When questioned by authorities Mosley said "I don't know why he hit me, there was no reason for any of this to take place. I don't even know them."

Charges are currently being pressed against Z Ro, Trae, Aztek Escobar , police are still investigating the incident.

Lloyd Banks

Z-Ro made a quick diss towards Lloyd Banks of G-Unit saying, "Fuck A Nigga named Lloyd Banks" at the end of his first verse for "It's Going Down in the South" from his album Power.The diss was over Banks's dissing Big Moe on a G-Unit freestyle track.

Banks has yet to respond.

Killa Kyleon

Also on the Power album, Z-ro made a diss to Boss Hogg Outlawz member, Killa Kyleon. In his last verse on the track "I'm a Gangsta," he says "To that nigga Killa Kyleon, stay in your place. If I wanted to get ya, I'd send bitches with razors to play in your face."

It might be speculated that this might hurt the relationship between Z-Ro & Slim Thug, since Killa Kyleon is signed to Boss Hogg Outlawz.

Discography

Main article: Z-Ro discography

Albums

Solo Singles

Trivia

  • In the "I Hate You" video, Z-Ro is portrayed by his brother Dougie D.
  • Z-Ro is a member of the 52 (Five-Deuce) Hoover Crip Gang Set.
  • Z-Ro has been referred to in Houston as the Pac (2 Pac) of the south.
  • Z-Ro has a 300C and it is painted "Screw Blue" and has "Z-RO" on the front of the grill
  • Z-Ro has a silver 1971 Cadilliac DeVille on "84's" spoke rims

See also

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