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.
Life Story
Z-Ro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody seems to understand that my brain ain't stable
They got me out on the ledge
feel like I'm falling off the edge it ain't no fable
It's reality, feel like I'm on the offensive, they trying to tackle me
That's why I keep popping fists
So rather relative or stranger, better keep your distance
I can't determine friend or foe so you in danger
Don't matter to society, a nigga that got no face and no name
Deserving more, but I'ma mob until I ain't got nothing left
And the only thing that's promised to me is more problems and death
Cause 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, didn't want to
Witness the wicked so please find yourself another man, haters feel me
(Chorus - 2x)
This is my liiiiiiiiife
Surviving in the struggle, living so shife
[Verse 2]
My opposition and proposition is scheming for cash
And if you bitches is scandalous, I get in that ass
So let's reliviate the pressure
Don't try to run it's guaranteed these slugs'll catch you
Oh yeah, I keeps a problem solver
A pistol grip, a automatic and revolver
Check it, and I'ma handle up baby
It's in my nature it's a must it ain't a maybe, peep game
The feds taking pictures, and tapping my phones
But if I catch you bitches snitching best believe me it's on
I analyze of this realize and open fire on bitches
And if I catch you bastards slipping I'm leaving bodies in ditches, huh
I bet that ass can pass it
Your life span it ain't long, you in a casket, check it
Niggas rushing your ass, mob deep with ski masks
Busting shots on the road trying to make your car crash, this is my life
(Chorus - 2x)
[Z-Ro]
These boys be telling me they got love, giving me false-i-fied tapping, but
I know they wouldn't give a fuck about me if there wasn't no money in rapping
See I know they want to get rich off me understand, even if I was
To die I still can talk they still put a mic in my hand
For trying to copy my style of life, pretending like they from my block
While I survive on willing to live while they depend on mom and pops
Before you make your move, check yourself and giving me for the millions
For the love of the struggle and just can't take it cause you not real
You want to be dead, there's gone be a dentist to see
When a nigga be scream and hollering I'm godfather
But I guess it's just the menace in me, plus
The only nigga that's skipping me from clicking is Herman Fisher
Relocated the killers and gats and drinking and if and burning swishers
Why they want to play with my life, they got families, nigga I don't
The only thing between me and them hoes
Is I'ma keep thugging they timid ass won't
Will they mind they own god damn business and keep they self out of mine
Because of a thin line, between handling business
and boo yeah coward a nine baby
(Chorus - 4x)
In "Life Story," Z-Ro delves into the complexities of his life and the challenges he has faced, both internal and external. He acknowledges that his brain is unstable, and he feels like he is falling off the edge, with no understanding or support from those around him. He carries the weight of chemical imbalances from his use of weed and cocaine, but society doesn't care about the struggles of people like him. Z-Ro doesn't expect to live a long life and may even be killed, but he keeps his eyes on the prize and remains focused on surviving in his life of struggle. Despite his personal struggles and the challenges he faces from outsiders, he remains loyal to his thug life and his nature.
The second verse of the song describes the opposition and propositions that he faces, both from those trying to scheme for cash and government surveillance. However, he remains vigilant and well-armed, with the intention of taking down anyone who threatens him or his sense of self. Z-Ro recognizes that people who seem to care about him may only want to get rich off him and wouldn't care about him if he wasn't famous. He stays true to his thug life and refuses to bend to societal expectations.
Overall, "Life Story" is a reflection of Z-Ro's experiences in life. Through his lyrics, Z-Ro touches on themes of personal struggles and the pressures of society, as well as the commitment to remaining true to oneself amidst adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody seems to understand that my brain ain't stable
My mental health is not stable, and nobody seems to comprehend it.
They got me out on the ledge
I feel like I'm on the edge of a building, about to jump.
feel like I'm falling off the edge it ain't no fable
I feel like I'm losing control of my life and can't stop myself from spiraling downward.
It's reality, feel like I'm on the offensive, they trying to tackle me
It's the reality of my life that I'm constantly fighting against those who want to bring me down.
That's why I keep popping fists
I always keep my fists raised, ready to fight anyone who comes at me.
So rather relative or stranger, better keep your distance
Whether you're a family member or a stranger, it's best to stay away from me.
I can't determine friend or foe so you in danger
I have trouble distinguishing between friends and enemies, so anyone who comes close is in danger around me.
Chemical imbalances of the weed and cocaine, but it really
The drugs I've been using have caused chemical imbalances in my body.
Don't matter to society, a nigga that got no face and no name
Society doesn't care about me and sees me as someone with no identity.
Deserving more, but I'ma mob until I ain't got nothing left
I deserve better in life, but I'll keep fighting until I have nothing left.
And the only thing that's promised to me is more problems and death
I know that I will only face more problems and eventually death in my future.
Cause there's some niggas looking for me and they might be near
There are people out there who are actively searching for me and could be close by.
And if they kill me don't shed a tear, remember I'm not happy here
If someone does kill me, don't mourn for me because I wasn't happy in life anyway.
Even still, got to keep my eyes on the prize
Despite everything, I need to stay focused on my goals and keep working towards them.
Although my vision is blurry I'm losing life in a hurry
Even though I can't see clearly, I know that I am running out of time and my life is slipping away.
Even my girlfriend don't understand, didn't want to
Even my girlfriend doesn't understand me and she didn't want to stick around to try and figure me out.
Witness the wicked so please find yourself another man, haters feel me
My life is too dark and twisted for you to handle, so please find someone else.
My opposition and proposition is scheming for cash
There are people out there who are devising plans to take money from me.
And if you bitches is scandalous, I get in that ass
If you're trying to deceive me, I'll make sure to catch and punish you.
So let's reliviate the pressure
Let's try to ease the tension and avoid conflict.
Don't try to run it's guaranteed these slugs'll catch you
If you try to run away, I'll make sure to catch and shoot you.
Oh yeah, I keeps a problem solver
I always keep a gun with me to solve my problems with violence.
A pistol grip, a automatic and revolver
I have multiple firearms in my possession at all times.
Check it, and I'ma handle up baby
I've got things under control and I will handle any situation that comes my way.
It's in my nature it's a must it ain't a maybe, peep game
Violence is a part of my nature and I will always act on it when necessary.
The feds taking pictures, and tapping my phones
The government is keeping tabs on me by taking pictures and wiretapping my phone.
But if I catch you bitches snitching best believe me it's on
If I find out that someone is informing on me, I will take action against them.
I analyze of this realize and open fire on bitches
I quickly assess situations and take violent action against anyone who crosses me.
And if I catch you bastards slipping I'm leaving bodies in ditches, huh
If I catch my enemies off-guard, I will kill them and bury their bodies in ditches.
I bet that ass can pass it
I'm confident that I'm capable of causing harm to anyone who tries to come against me.
Your life span it ain't long, you in a casket, check it
If you cross me, your life will be cut short and you'll end up in a coffin.
Niggas rushing your ass, mob deep with ski masks
There are people out there who are actively trying to hurt me and they're coming with a group of masked men.
Busting shots on the road trying to make your car crash, this is my life
They will shoot at my car and try to cause a fatal accident because this is my dangerous reality.
These boys be telling me they got love, giving me false-i-fied tapping, but
Some people claim to care about me, but their actions show that it's not genuine.
I know they wouldn't give a fuck about me if there wasn't no money in rapping
I know that people are only interested in me because of the money I can bring in through my music.
See I know they want to get rich off me understand, even if I was
Everyone wants to get rich off of me, even if I wasn't interested in the money.
To die I still can talk they still put a mic in my hand
Even if I die, people will still listen to my music and my legacy will live on.
For trying to copy my style of life, pretending like they from my block
People are trying to copy my lifestyle and pretend that they're from the same neighborhood as me.
While I survive on willing to live while they depend on mom and pops
I'm surviving on my own and willing to live, while they still depend on their parents for support.
Before you make your move, check yourself and giving me for the millions
Think twice before trying to deceive me, because I'm not one to be fooled easily.
For the love of the struggle and just can't take it cause you not real
I am in this struggle because I love it, while some people can't handle it because they're not real and only pretending.
You want to be dead, there's gone be a dentist to see
If you want to come against me, you will end up dead and a dentist will be needed to identify your body.
When a nigga be scream and hollering I'm godfather
When I'm screaming and yelling, I am asserting my power and authority like the godfather.
But I guess it's just the menace in me, plus
It's just my menacing nature that causes me to act in this way.
The only nigga that's skipping me from clicking is Herman Fisher
The only person who can skip me in the clique is Herman Fisher as he has my back.
Relocated the killers and gats and drinking and if and burning swishers
I have relocated killers, guns, and drugs and always smoking and burning swishers.
Why they want to play with my life, they got families, nigga I don't
People are playing with my life and putting me in danger, even though they have families to think about but I have no one.
The only thing between me and them hoes
The only thing stopping me from taking revenge on them is myself.
Is I'ma keep thugging they timid ass won't
I will continue to live my dangerous lifestyle and they will never be able to handle it.
Will they mind they own god damn business and keep they self out of mine
If people would just mind their own business and stay away from me, their lives would be much easier.
Because of a thin line, between handling business
It's a thin line between conducting legitimate business and getting caught up in illegal activities.
and boo yeah coward a nine baby
Things can quickly turn violent and deadly, so it's best to stay away from me and my dangerous life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
poisonblader
I can't thank Z-Ro enough for making music, this shit has kept me from pullin' the trigger more than once. You can hear the pain and struggle in his voice, I easily relate. I keep getting kicked down but I keep going because I have too. Z-ro helps me maintain.
CHESS. AKA C.G
I feel u. Almost ended up killing myself a couple times 2. ZRO IS 👑 👑 👑 some of these songs stop me from doing the unimaginable !!!!
Lulu Wills
poisonblader Could
Alec Herrera
9
B C
No matter how many times I hear this shit that first verse always gives me chills
CuePee
This man saved my life real talk!!!! You not so alone when Ro on...He a whole blessing
Rahat Khan
i see you bro 2022
Yeehee
Grew up on Ro in Texas. Getting into his music heavy again in my 30s. A truly great artist stands the test of time.
CurtG400stTxGMF
this shit will never get old mane.. we still jammin dis in 2017 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Noel Mack
I started listening 2 this man at a young age n no matter wat I'm still listening 2 this man n ppl say why u listen 2 his depressing as n u be like if u not in the situation's n have those problems or grew up in the struggle then u want understand fuck that he's the best rapper