Joseph Wayne McVey IV (born January 19, 1977), better known by his stage na… Read Full Bio ↴Joseph Wayne McVey IV (born January 19, 1977), better known by his stage names Z-Ro and The Mo City Don, is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer from Houston, Texas. He was named one of America's most underrated rappers by The New York Times in 2007.[4]
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.

I'm Gone
Z-Ro Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't wanna make it seem like I'm giving up
But I'm really giving up
Ask if I give a fuck
Last time we talked you said I wasn't enough
Just want you to hear me out once
Before I'm gone
Before this is all gone
All the damage is already done

Just help with the pain
Just keep me sane
Just keep me away
Before I go insane
What's the matter?
Girl, we haven't talked for hours
I need to find a home
And I need to find it soon
But I don't know where to go without you
Hope you're really feeling me
Hope this ain't the shit that'll be killing me
Trying to replace what we had
That shit will never last
And you know I smoke that gas
Just hold my hand
Cause this might be my last
Do this for my sake
Before it's too late
I don't wanna make it seem like I'm giving up
But I'm really giving up
Ask if I give a fuck
Last time we talked you said I wasn't enough
Just want you to hear me out once
Before I'm gone
Before this is all gone
All the damage is already done
Just help with the pain
Just keep me sane

Just keep me away
Before I go insane

Overall Meaning

In Z-Ro's song "I'm Gone," the lyrics depict a sense of despair and resignation in a relationship that has been damaged beyond repair. The singer expresses a desire to be heard and understood before they reach their breaking point.

The lyrics begin by stating that the singer doesn't want to appear as if they are giving up, but in reality, they have reached a point where they have truly given up on the relationship. They question if the other person even cares about their feelings and recalls being told that they were not enough the last time they spoke. The plea to be heard and understood is emphasized before they disappear, as if they want to make one final plea for empathy and acknowledgment.

The singer acknowledges that all the damage has already been done, but they seek some respite from the pain. They ask the other person to keep them sane and prevent them from spiraling into madness. There is a vulnerability expressed as they admit not knowing where to go without their partner - they are lost and in search of home. They hope the other person truly understands their feelings and fears that this relationship's demise may be the thing that ultimately destroys them.

In summary, "I'm Gone" is a heartfelt expression of despair and resignation in a damaged relationship. The singer longs to be heard and understood before they reach their breaking point, highlighting their vulnerability and the desperate need for solace.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't wanna make it seem like I'm giving up
I don't want to appear as though I'm surrendering

But I'm really giving up
But in reality, I am truly giving up

Ask if I give a fuck
You can even inquire if I care at all

Last time we talked you said I wasn't enough
During our previous conversation, you indicated that I fell short

Just want you to hear me out once
I simply desire for you to listen to me fully on this occasion

Before I'm gone
Prior to my departure

Before this is all gone
Before everything we had is completely lost

All the damage is already done
The harm has already been inflicted

Just help with the pain
Just assist in alleviating the agony

Just keep me sane
Simply keep me mentally stable

Just keep me away
Just keep me separate