Z-RO was born Joseph Wayne McVey IV in Houston's South Park neighborhood on January 19, 1977.[5] At age six his mother died, and he was shuttled from household to household in search of stability, eventually settling in the Ridgemont area, a middle-class suburb in Missouri City in Southwest Houston.[5] When Z-Ro reached his late teens he was unemployed and resorted to drug dealing and hustling on the streets.[5] According to Z-Ro, listening to the music of 2Pac, Geto Boys, Street Military, K-Rino and Klondike Kat inspired him to work harder for his goal of leaving the streets.[5] Z-Ro discovered his talent of freestyle rapping and after going through a couple of recording studios to make a demo,[5] the CEO of a local label discovered and signed him.
Z-Ro released his critically acclaimed Rap-a-Lot debut titled The Life of Joseph W. McVey.[5][6] The record was a huge success and helped expand Z-Ro's and Bobby Craig's fan base beyond the South.[5] In 2005, Z-Ro released Let the Truth Be Told, which was well received.[5] Z-Ro's 2006 album I'm Still Livin' was released while he was imprisoned for drug possession, to positive reviews.[7][8] It was called "a great album... powerful" but "relentlessly bleak" by The Village Voice[7] and "one of the best rap albums to come out of Houston" by the Houston Chronicle.[9] In 2010 he released the album titled Heroin, which was followed by an album titled Meth in 2011 and then Angel Dust in 2012.
Z-Ro released his first EP under The Mo City Don titled Tripolar on August 25, 2013 via One Deep Ent.[2] Z-Ro then followed up with The Crown in June 2014.[10] In February 2015, Z-Ro released his first proper studio album in three years, titled Melting the Crown.
In 2016, Z-Ro released Drankin & Drivin in August[11] and Legendary in November under his label One Deep Entertainment.
All Night
Z-Ro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up all night, up all day
Up all night up all day
See some of us trying to get paid
(Z-Ro)
I had to keep from going under, like Stevie I Wonder
Thinking hard, running out of places to lay my head got me drinking hard liquor
In the mist of poverty it must be the straight up get to an ending peal off
Recognizing the drama offense of living in my life
Got to go get it and come back with it until it's prison in my life
Born struggling, a nigga acheived his bubbling
The fact that I can't get no job can't do nothing but rub it in
20 years old, I was screaming I would reach 25
Now 24 and still no dough I started struggle and strive
I was a Bridgemont hardhead, yellow and purple repper
And never let another nigga check us, nigga that was low yet
Use to live with Z-Ro all in your deck
But back in 1995 I would of been all in your chest
With a pistol grip punk giving up for you gone die tonight
Since I'm going through the bitch that more for the night, come off the ice
(Chorus - 4x)
Up all night day, up all day
See some of us trying to get paid
(Z-Ro)
Back in the doghouse, the love I give nigga my cellmate said
You reach your freedom when you die but if you rapping single bread
Already knowing I'm throwed when my pen is pimping
Having visions of me in a V-12 motor corners my benz bending
Straight down to the T I'd have a?
I promise I'll do it right this time wait till the g get free
If I could make the jail house all of that Mo-Town live
When I ain't T.W. to the free the rap game is mine soon as I get signed off
Lock, a thug nigga fresh out the jail house
Still addicted to hustling attempted to pull my steel out
Show me the money, I'm gone show what you need
Half a ticket and a half-a-gallon and a quarter ounce of weed
I'm your mama I'm your daddy I'm that nigga in the alley
That when I go straight, but the prices be so cheap in the valley
I had to keep my mind right and keep my rhymes tight
Praying to god I wouldn't lose my freedom or my life before the limelight
(Chorus - 4x)
(Z-Ro)
Motherfucking all night, I put the heat to the dro, pass the lighter
Hitting stage till my vision gets brighter
Remember poverty, it ain't a part of the plan
Cause while I'm on the corner hustling with work in my hand
Like a super star selling rocks, because the stage becomes a block
But my plot is put my trust up in my glock
Z-Ro the ghetto rap versus the world but could I lose
But even though I'm still paying dues, I'm still the last man standing
With a mad cannon ready to bust
Look how I did after I left that nigga dead in the dust
Cause I'ma ride when it's time to ride strictly for cash
I'm doing bad so I'm leaning on a beam and a mask
A Mo-City nigga, we don't know how to show pity nigga
Sold up your block and take over your whole city nigga
Me and Skinny Garaw, we at your front door
Aggravated cause it's tough on the pole
(Chorus - 4x)
(Reesa vocalizing)
In "All Night," Z-Ro talks about his struggles to survive and make ends meet. The song opens with a reference to Stevie Wonder, which suggests that the artist's troubles are deep and ongoing. Z-Ro talks about how he has been thinking hard and drinking hard liquor, trying to keep himself going. Despite the tough times, he stays determined and relies on his skills to get ahead. Z-Ro recognizes the drama of living in poverty, constantly hustling to get by. He talks about his struggles as a young man who couldn't find a job and how he had to push himself physically, mentally, and emotionally to make it through. The song ends with a reference to the violence and aggression that seem to be part of Z-Ro's life.
One of the dominant themes in the song is the idea of struggle. Whether it's struggling to make ends meet or struggling to stay alive in a violent environment, Z-Ro paints a picture of a world that's full of challenges. The artist's reference to Stevie Wonder suggests that his problems are ongoing and that he is often in a state of crisis. Despite the difficulties, Z-Ro stays determined and focuses on his skills as a way to get ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Up all night, up all day
Z-Ro has been awake and working hard constantly, both day and night.
See some of us trying to get paid
He recognizes that some people work hard for their money, just like he does.
I had to keep from going under, like Stevie I Wonder
Z-Ro went through a lot of struggles and had to work hard to avoid drowning in his problems, similar to Stevie Wonder's song 'I Wonder.'
Thinking hard, running out of places to lay my head got me drinking hard liquor
Z-Ro thinks deeply about his struggles and is running out of places to stay, resulting in him turning to alcohol for comfort.
Still a go killer, should I rely on my skills
Despite his troubles, Z-Ro is still confident about his abilities and contemplates relying on them to succeed.
In the mist of poverty it must be the straight up get to an ending peal off
Z-Ro feels that in poverty, one must work hard to earn enough money to escape it.
Recognizing the drama offense of living in my life
He acknowledges the challenges and issues that come with living his life.
Got to go get it and come back with it until it's prison in my life
He knows he needs to work hard and earn money until he can live comfortably rather than living a life of prison and poverty.
Born struggling, a nigga acheived his bubbling
Z-Ro came from difficult circumstances but has been able to achieve success.
The fact that I can't get no job can't do nothing but rub it in
Z-Ro is frustrated that he cannot find a job and feels that it only adds to his struggles.
20 years old, I was screaming I would reach 25
At 20, Z-Ro dreamed of making it to 25 years old due to the danger and difficulties of his life.
Now 24 and still no dough I started struggle and strive
At 24, he is still struggling financially and has to work even harder to try and change his situation.
I was a Bridgemont hardhead, yellow and purple repper
Z-Ro was a tough guy from Bridgemont, representing the colors yellow and purple.
And never let another nigga check us, nigga that was low yet
He never let anyone disrespect him or his crew, even though it may have been seen as low or bad behavior.
Use to live with Z-Ro all in your deck
His music was frequently played by his fans.
But back in 1995 I would of been all in your chest
In 1995, he was still trying to make a name for himself in the rap game and would have worked hard to be noticed.
With a pistol grip punk giving up for you gone die tonight
If someone tried to mess with him or his crew, they would be met with deadly force.
Since I'm going through the bitch that more for the night, come off the ice
As he struggles through life, he will do whatever it takes to earn some money, even if it means stealing or robbing.
Back in the doghouse, the love I give nigga my cellmate said
He was in prison and gave love to his fellow inmate, who appreciated it.
You reach your freedom when you die but if you rapping single bread
Z-Ro believes that true freedom is only achieved after death, but if you're a rapper making little money, you're not truly free in life.
Already knowing I'm throwed when my pen is pimping
He knows he is skilled with a pen when it comes to rapping.
Having visions of me in a V-12 motor corners my benz bending
He dreams of driving a luxurious car with a powerful V-12 engine, taking corners with ease.
Straight down to the T I'd have a?
The meaning of this line is unclear and may be an incomplete thought or unfinished lyric.
I promise I'll do it right this time wait till the g get free
He promises to work hard and succeed once he is out of jail.
If I could make the jail house all of that Mo-Town live
He wishes he could perform and entertain fellow inmates like Motown artists did in prison performances in the past.
When I ain't T.W. to the free the rap game is mine soon as I get signed off
Once he is no longer 'T.W.' (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) and is free, he believes he will take over the rap game once he is signed to a label.
Lock, a thug nigga fresh out the jail house
Z-Ro is a tough guy straight out of prison.
Still addicted to hustling attempted to pull my steel out
He is still drawn to a life of hustling and almost pulled out his gun to continue.
Show me the money, I'm gone show what you need
He wants to be paid for his work and will provide whatever is necessary in return.
Half a ticket and a half-a-gallon and a quarter ounce of weed
He's willing to work for half of the money and a supply of drugs.
I'm your mama I'm your daddy I'm that nigga in the alley
He's the one who provides for people and looks after them like a parent, even if it means doing it in a back alley.
That when I go straight, but the prices be so cheap in the valley
Even if he tries to live a clean life, it's hard because prices are so low in a poor area.
I had to keep my mind right and keep my rhymes tight
Z-Ro worked hard to keep a clear mind and constantly improve his rhyming abilities.
Praying to god I wouldn't lose my freedom or my life before the limelight
He worries he may lose his freedom or even his life before he can achieve fame and success.
Motherfucking all night, I put the heat to the dro, pass the lighter
Z-Ro is working hard, smoking weed, and passing the lighter to his crew.
Hitting stage till my vision gets brighter
He performs on stage as a rapper until he achieves his goal of becoming successful.
Remember poverty, it ain't a part of the plan
He remembers his struggles with poverty and knows it was not his plan to live that way.
Cause while I'm on the corner hustling with work in my hand
He's working hard on the street corner, holding drugs and trying to make money.
Like a super star selling rocks, because the stage becomes a block
Z-Ro feels like a superstar as he sells drugs on the block, as in that moment, that is his 'stage'.
But my plot is put my trust up in my glock
He believes his gun will keep him safe and will help him succeed.
Z-Ro the ghetto rap versus the world but could I lose
He sees himself as a rapper from the ghetto who is fighting against the world in order to succeed, but he's unsure if he can actually win.
But even though I'm still paying dues, I'm still the last man standing
He knows he still has work to do, but he's still standing and pushing on to achieve his goals.
With a mad cannon ready to bust
He is ready and willing to use his gun if needed.
Look how I did after I left that nigga dead in the dust
He reflects on how he succeeded after killing someone and leaving them behind.
Cause I'ma ride when it's time to ride strictly for cash
He will do whatever it takes to earn money, even if it means taking risks or getting in dangerous situations.
I'm doing bad so I'm leaning on a beam and a mask
He's in a bad situation financially and has to resort to wearing a mask to hide his identity while committing crimes.
A Mo-City nigga, we don't know how to show pity nigga
Z-Ro is from Missouri City, where people don't show sympathy or pity for others.
Sold up your block and take over your whole city nigga
He's willing to sell and distribute drugs in a new area and take over the market.
Me and Skinny Garaw, we at your front door
Z-Ro and his crew are ready to invade and take over someone's territory.
Aggravated cause it's tough on the pole
He's frustrated because it's hard to make money and succeed in a difficult environment.
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.