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.
Platinum
Z-Ro Lyrics
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Bout time, they opened up the do' for Z-Ro
Cause I've been dropping hits, since ten years ago
Trying to do it legal, and not slang yayo
If I can't get it legal, to the corner I go
I never took pride, in slanging cocaine
Never could get a job, but needed some mo' change
C.d.'s wasn't selling, because I had no name
Too many times, I was ready to give up
Run up in a bank, and say this is a stick-up
Put my pain on records, and record sales picked up
The tears I done shed, led me to the big bucks
2000 and 4, I ain't broke no mo'
Cause God is my life jacket, when I sink solo
I went to a hundred thousand, from a whole fo'
So all you haters hate me, as I make a little mo'
[Hook]
I'm going platinum this time, (this time-this time)
I think you fellas, better respect my mind (mind-mind)
I'm here to collect my pennies, my nickels and my dimes (my dimes-my dimes)
And ain't nobody gonna block out my shine (shine-shine)
[Z-Ro]
They got me living in a '56, Mass L
My locker full of commsary, and my fan mail
My city saying Z-Ro, what you gon do when you get out of jail
I can't do no mo' pyrexes, no mo' scales
Trying to make a million dollas, off my melody
Couldn't see it coming, so I caught a state-jail felony
F-1 bunk twelve, there resides the stars
Special thanks to love, cause "I Hate you Bitch" climbed me to the top of the charts
Being free, is like being on lock
Niggaz still kick it with ya, but try to get some of what ya got
I ain't never seen, so many feminine men
Swear to God they holding in the world, but ain't nobody seeing dividends
That ain't the life of me, I had to get it
Might not be rich in the present, but I'ma be rich in a minute
Cause I got three 'causeos sitting up high, rolling 24's
Screaming A.B.N. get in the do', waiting for Ro
[Hook]
[Z-Ro]
Jealousy and envy, play a major role
Everytime a playa, try to get his pockets swoll
Somebody said I did this, and said I did that
Even told homicide, I pushed the homie's wig back
They don't wanna see, a nigga make it out of poverty
When will they realize, God is running with me ain't no stopping me
Probably never will, so keep on trying
You can clip my wings, but I see happiness in the sky so I'ma keep on flying
Until I find, a rested place
So many battle scars, blood on my chest and face
Whether I'm working or rapping 24/7, me and Satan be scrapping
He want my soul, but I ain't gon let it happen
Even if I lose my life, trying to chase my dream
Whoever do me, gon have hell when they face my team
I got them same three 'causeos holding me down, if I ain't coming back
Bet they bury me with g-stacks, plus a platinum plack
[Hook - 2x]
In "Platinum," Z-Ro reflects on his rise to fame and success. He acknowledges the challenges he faced in the past, including his previous involvement in illegal activities, and the difficulty he had in selling his music due to his lack of name recognition. He speaks about how music became his therapy, and how sharing his pain with others through his lyrics culminated in him becoming a hitmaker.
Z-Ro also addresses the envy and jealousy that he unfortunately has encountered on his journey to success. He believes that some people tried to set him up or take him down in a fit of bitterness mistrust. As a result, he has learned that success brings negativity from the ones you never expected it from, but he keeps on moving forward, striving for his passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Bout time, they opened up the do' for Z-Ro
Z-Ro feels it is about time that he finally gets the recognition he deserves for all the hit music he has made.
Cause I've been dropping hits, since ten years ago
Z-Ro has been making hit music for a decade now, but without much recognition until now.
Trying to do it legal, and not slang yayo
Z-Ro wanted to make money legally, without having to resort to selling drugs.
If I can't get it legal, to the corner I go
If Z-Ro can't make money legally, he may have to resort to selling drugs to get by.
I never took pride, in slanging cocaine
Z-Ro never felt good about selling drugs and knew he had to find a better way to make a living.
Never could get a job, but needed some mo' change
Despite trying hard, Z-Ro couldn't find a job and needed to find a way to make money.
C.d.'s wasn't selling, because I had no name
Z-Ro's music wasn't selling because he wasn't well-known, and people didn't recognize his name.
Nothing but a t-shirt, no piece no chain
Z-Ro was barely making any money, and had no fancy clothes or jewelry.
Too many times, I was ready to give up
Z-Ro felt like giving up many times because he wasn't making progress in his music career.
Run up in a bank, and say this is a stick-up
When times were tough, Z-Ro considered resorting to robbing a bank to make ends meet.
Put my pain on records, and record sales picked up
Z-Ro turned his painful experiences into music, and this helped him connect with people and gain a following.
The tears I done shed, led me to the big bucks
Z-Ro's difficult experiences helped him make better music and ultimately earn more money and success.
2000 and 4, I ain't broke no mo'
By 2004, Z-Ro had finally made enough money to support himself and his career without struggling financially.
Cause God is my life jacket, when I sink solo
Z-Ro feels that his faith in God has always helped him in difficult times when he felt alone and helpless.
I'm going platinum this time, (this time-this time)
Z-Ro is confident that his music will become a commercial success and go platinum this time around.
I think you fellas, better respect my mind (mind-mind)
Z-Ro wants people to recognize his talents and hard work and give him the respect he deserves for his music.
I'm here to collect my pennies, my nickels and my dimes (my dimes-my dimes)
Z-Ro is determined to earn all the money he can from his music sales and live a stable lifestyle.
And ain't nobody gonna block out my shine (shine-shine)
Z-Ro is confident that nobody will be able to stop him from becoming successful and reaching his goals.
My city saying Z-Ro, what you gon do when you get out of jail
Z-Ro's fans and community are anticipating his next move after he gets out of jail.
Trying to make a million dollas, off my melody
Z-Ro is striving to become a millionaire from the sales of his music.
Couldn't see it coming, so I caught a state-jail felony
Z-Ro didn't anticipate getting in trouble with the law and ending up in jail, which has been a setback for his music career.
F-1 bunk twelve, there resides the stars
While in jail, Z-Ro is surrounded by other talented individuals who he sees as stars.
Whether I'm working or rapping 24/7, me and Satan be scrapping
Z-Ro struggles with inner demons, but he's always working hard, whether it's on his job or making music.
He want my soul, but I ain't gon let it happen
Z-Ro is determined not to let his personal demons get in the way of his success and happiness.
Even if I lose my life, trying to chase my dream
Z-Ro is committed to living his dream of making music, even if it means risking his life for it.
I got them same three 'causeos holding me down, if I ain't coming back
Z-Ro has three close friends who will always have his back no matter what, even if he doesn't make it back home.
Bet they bury me with g-stacks, plus a platinum plack
Z-Ro hopes that he'll be successful enough to have a lot of money at the time of his passing, and a platinum record to commemorate his success.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH WAYNE MCVEY, RANDY S. JEFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind