King Of Tha Ghetto

Texan readers need no explanation for this post.  You already know that Z-Ro is probably Texas' most prized (living) rapper.  Before anyone slaps me with a "don't know shit" charge let me acknowledge some rappers that could be put on that list above Ro: Trae, Lil Keke, Scarface, Bun B, etc.  I think the fact that Z-Ro never quite jumped to nationwide stardom is what makes him a little more important to Texas.  He never jumped on a trend, never sacrificed his sound for a hit single, never hopped on a popular artist's dick (what's that you say - no Lil Wayne features?!).  Basically, he has never been a bitch and don't know how to be a ho.  That makes Texas proud.

Z-Ro's most potent quality is that we actually believe him when he says played out lines like "real talk."  How can we deny the legitimacy of gangster chronicles told in Joseph Wayne McVey's deep voice, so syrupy it's like the lean he just sipped out of his styrofoam is actually spilling out with the words? It doesn't hurt that he is willing to talk about subjects many "gangstas" will not touch like, you know, feelings and shit but in the next verse bounce right back to splitting your skull with an ease that is frightening.

I could write for days about why I think Z-Ro might be the best in the game but that is not really the purpose of this post.  If you're a fan then you know what he is capable of, but I want to share with you some of Ro's most vicious moments, when he is battling emotions that have backed him into a corner and therefore is at his most human.

Life Story from Look What You Did To Me
"There's some niggas looking for me and they might be near and if they kill me don't shed a tear, remember I'm not happy here. Even still, got to keep my eyes on the prize although my vision is blurry. I'm losing life in a hurry. Even my girlfriend don't understand, don't want her to witness the wicked so please find yourself another man."

More Or Less (Remix) from various mixtapes
"Fuck a drive-by, I want him to look me in my eyes. Let him call Junior on his mobile, just to say goodbye. So call my name out and watch how everybody run for cover 'cause they know I'm a heartless motherfucker."

I Found Me from King Of Da Ghetto
"I'm scared to eat the last of the bread and the butter because after that, all the goddamn food gone. I'm a muthafucking struggler, I wish I was a bubbler. Mama said that it would it be days like this but not a life like this, so I take a knife like this and slice like this, take life like this, fuck around and I take my own life like this."

Never Take Me Alive from Gangstafied
"Catch me one deep out the window as I'm bucking my nine. Ain't got no love for nothing that got love for a nigga 'cause in the end, they end up having slugs for a nigga. So fuck a vest, if I'm destined to get one in my chest, I guess I'ma hook up with Pac and puff on some of heaven's best, bitch."

Lord Tell Me Why (Slowed) from Look What You Did To Me
"After living through the drive-bys, got a nigga ready for war. 500 push-ups everyday to keep my knock out punches up to par 'cause everybody want to test me... Would the lord bless me to keep on breathing, leaving niggas unconscious. When I'm punching I'm going hard in the paint, so pack a lunch. To the niggas that we killing, don't feel like you the only motherfucker. I really don't think we even love each other."

Happy birthday to the late, great DJ Screw a.k.a. Robert Earl Davis, Jr. I'ma be screwed for life.