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.
Look At Me
Z-Ro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
3rd Coast, Screwston Texas
Z-Ro, Heavy Rotation, yeah
[Z-Ro]
I've been running the streets 24 years (look at me)
I made it but I'm wanted most of my peers (look at me)
I keep a heater in case I run across my beef (look at me)
I'm rapping but I'm still working the corner (look at me)
Hustling everyday selling work and marijuana (look at me)
I keep a vest on, I keep my chest on (look at me)
With a real groupie when pull out a press on (look at me)
I might dress prepped up but I still do crime (look at me)
I'm a geurilla can't you tell it when I rhyme (look at me)
I don't need no soda, straight out the paint bottle
And I don't care if you don't like it cause I ain't your role model
[Chorus - 2x]
Tell me where your hood and I'ma tell you where mine
But don't be beefing when you come around a g on his grind
Smoking nothing but pine, need no drama on my mind
Pump your breaks, bet not disrespect the stop sign
[Z-Ro]
I'm out that Mo City where they don't bar none (look at me)
I never leave the pad without packing a gun (look at me)
I don't be set tripping any one of y'all can get it (look at me)
I'ma take you out if you interrupt the flow of digits (look at me)
I produce hits but radio won't play my song (look at me)
I keep a record cause all that hating made me strong (look at me)
I must confess that I be looking for trouble (look at me)
When I make a million I'll be looking to double (look at me)
Nothing but pen pimping and smoking that pine (look at me)
I'm like the law cause all these boys gone mind (look at me)
I don't need no soda, straight out the paint bottle
And I don't care if you don't like it cause I ain't your role model
[Chorus - 2x]
[Z-Ro]
I'm addicted to putting my hands on cash (look at me)
I'm that little sodier that don't need a soldier rag (look at me)
It's self explanatory to escallade to jag (look at me)
I started off with hardens off in sperate bags (look at me)
Now I'm on top of the world and ain't no falling (look at me)
Got to tell them back back somebody keep on calling
All in, with six screens in my load
R.I.P. to F-A-T P-A-T Southside for sho (look at me)
I'ma navigate this big ride body lac (look at me)
I'm ghetto fabulous, I got hooks, beats and sacks (look at me)
I don't need no soda, straight out the paint bottle
And I don't care if you don't like it cause I ain't your role model
[Chorus - 2x]
The song Look At Me by Z-Ro tells the story of a rapper who has made it big but still faces the struggles of his past. He talks about running the streets for 24 years and the fact that he's still wanted by most of his peers. He keeps a gun on him at all times in case he runs into any trouble. He also talks about the hustle he still does, selling work and marijuana, and dressing up but still doing crime. He's not afraid to admit that he's not a role model and that he's addicted to money.
The chorus talks about the fact that he's from Mo City, and he'll tell you where he's from if you tell him where you're from but don't disrespect him. He also mentions that he's smoking "nothing but pine" which might mean that he's smoking weed that's so good it's like it's from a pine tree, and he doesn't want any drama.
Overall, the song is a depiction of the struggles of the streets and being a rapper who has made it big but still holds onto his past. He's proud of where he comes from, but he's not afraid to defend himself and his turf. The song has a hard-hitting beat and Z-Ro's flow is smooth and confident.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been running the streets 24 years (look at me)
I have been living on the streets for 24 years, and I am proud of the things that I have overcome to survive.
I made it but I'm wanted most of my peers (look at me)
While I have achieved some level of success, many of the people around me still look down on me and do not fully accept me.
I keep a heater in case I run across my beef (look at me)
I carry a gun in case I run into someone who has a problem with me and wants to start a fight.
And I'm so full it hurt my mouth when I speak (look at me)
I am so fed up with the injustices and struggles of life that it is hard for me to even speak without feeling pain.
I'm rapping but I'm still working the corner (look at me)
Although I am a rapper, I still have to hustle on the street corner to make ends meet.
Hustling everyday selling work and marijuana (look at me)
I sell drugs every day as part of my hustle to make money and survive on the streets.
I keep a vest on, I keep my chest on (look at me)
I always wear a bulletproof vest to protect myself in case someone tries to shoot me.
With a real groupie when pull out a press on (look at me)
I am so successful that even famous women are attracted to me, and I can get whatever I want.
I might dress prepped up but I still do crime (look at me)
Even though I may look nice and dress well, I am still involved in criminal activity and living the thug life.
I'm a geurilla can't you tell it when I rhyme (look at me)
My rap lyrics reveal that I am a highly skilled, determined, and ruthless fighter who is just as vicious in the streets as in the music game.
I don't need no soda, straight out the paint bottle
I do not need any mixers for my drinks- I drink straight out of the bottle, and I do not care if others do not like it or approve of my behavior.
Tell me where your hood and I'ma tell you where mine
If you tell me where you're from, I can immediately detect how real and dangerous a person you are.
But don't be beefing when you come around a g on his grind
Avoid starting a conflict when you meet someone like me, who is always hustling and working to make ends meet.
Smoking nothing but pine, need no drama on my mind
I smoke only the best quality marijuana, and I do not want any unnecessary problems or distractions in my life.
Pump your breaks, bet not disrespect the stop sign
Slow down and avoid crossing boundaries or challenging me, or else there will be consequences to pay.
I'm out that Mo City where they don't bar none (look at me)
I am from the notoriously tough and violent city of Missouri City, where there are no rules or limits to the violence and crime that take place.
I never leave the pad without packing a gun (look at me)
I always carry a weapon with me, and I am willing to use it if necessary to protect myself.
I don't be set tripping any one of y'all can get it (look at me)
I do not affiliate myself with any specific gang or group, but I am willing to fight and defend myself against anyone who tries to cross me.
I'ma take you out if you interrupt the flow of digits (look at me)
If anyone gets in the way of me making money, I will not hesitate to eliminate them.
I produce hits but radio won't play my song (look at me)
Despite my success in creating popular music, mainstream radio refuses to play my songs because of my image and background.
I keep a record cause all that hating made me strong (look at me)
I have a record of all the negativity and criticism that I have faced in my life, and it has only made me more resilient and determined to succeed.
I must confess that I be looking for trouble (look at me)
I must admit that I am always ready for a fight or conflict, and I am not afraid to cause trouble if someone challenges me.
When I make a million I'll be looking to double (look at me)
When I become rich and successful, I will try to double or triple my profits by any means necessary.
Nothing but pen pimping and smoking that pine (look at me)
I make my money through my rap lyrics and by selling high quality marijuana.
I'm like the law cause all these boys gone mind (look at me)
I am respected and feared like the law among my peers, and everyone knows that they cannot mess with me.
I'm addicted to putting my hands on cash (look at me)
I am obsessed with making money and doing whatever it takes to get rich and successful.
It's self explanatory to escalade to jag (look at me)
As someone who has achieved high levels of wealth and success, it is obvious and self-explanatory that I would drive an expensive and luxurious car.
I started off with hardens off in separate bags (look at me)
When I first started selling drugs, I had to carry them in separate bags to avoid getting caught or losing money.
Now I'm on top of the world and ain't no falling (look at me)
Now that I am rich and successful, I feel invincible and untouchable, and I know that I will not fall from my high status.
Got to tell them back back somebody keep on calling
Despite my success and wealth, I am still busy and popular, with many people wanting my attention and contacting me regularly.
All in, with six screens in my load
I am invested and committed to my hustle and am always carrying multiple screens or devices to stay connected and make money.
R.I.P. to F-A-T P-A-T Southside for sho (look at me)
I want to pay homage and show respect to the legendary rapper F-A-T P-A-T from the Southside of Houston, who has passed away.
I'ma navigate this big ride body lac (look at me)
I am confident and proud in my ability to drive a large, expensive luxury car with ease and style.
I'm ghetto fabulous, I got hooks, beats and sacks (look at me)
Despite my rough background and upbringing, I still have incredible musical talent and am able to make great beats, hooks, and sell high quality drugs.
And I don't care if you don't like it cause I ain't your role model
I am not concerned with being a role model or setting a good example for others, and if someone doesn't like my lifestyle or behavior, that is their problem, not mine.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Andy John Watkins, Paul David Wilson, Geri Halliwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind