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.
Sunshine
Z-Ro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes sir, Z-Ro, Lil' Keke, Screw to Mo City
CMG, KMJ, this how it go
[Chorus]
Sunshine, living in the ghetto daily trying to find
Sunshine, trying to make a million hustling got to dodge
One time, I keep my head up even though I feel like giving up
[Z-Ro]
Man what happened to the sun on my lawn it's so gloomy and grey
I got a feeling 5-O gone try to do me today
Nothing but backstreets for me cause I don't need a vacation
Looking for front run up that seem the only compensation
The hood is on fire, other soldiers won't let it down
They ain't set tripping but out here jacking has been alive
Misery spinning what they clicking for no reason at all
Even intentions of stacking paper they pleasing them all
And outside, smelling like nothing but formaldrahide
It's an everyday suicide, R.I.P. to the ones that died
Wake up before you get caught up don't keep on selling your soul
Until your life fall up, you got to try to find
[Chorus]
[Lil' Keke]
We living in a world that's dirty and so shife
You trying to figure out this the game that's called life
These days is cold and got me searching for my soul
Like paper bags and lawn chairs man you unfold
I'm looking out my window for some, sunshine
I'm trying to give it up cause I swear it's my time
I five petreat and start thinking about my sins
Roll up another square and start thinking about the benz
Talent and skills is what I'm bringing
New homes and microphones got the cell phone ringing
Push play on the deck, to let my mind collect
And try to mash on the gas with no time to sweat
This the ghetto, and that's all I know
Another episode from the young don and Ro
If the family is tight, then everything's alright
So quick to catch flight for the sunlight, uh
[Chorus]
[Z-Ro]
Seem like I can't stand the rain prosecution and struggle up in my brain
Got to tell me slow down if you can see all of my veins
Cause I ain't having none of that riff raff to get back and blood
Keep my enemy close to me cause your killer be your 'cause
I wish I was, able to socialize with why'all
Instead of trading war stories and taking lies from why'all
It's how it be though, Lil' Keke and Z-Ro we on the grind
Long as they talking about us, we know we staying on they mind
Don't hate us congratulate us, why why'all turning up why'all nose
Cause it's been we be spittng straight be burning up why'all glow
Want to take it away from pin and pad and pick up a gun
You better repent my dog it's over, you done better try to find
[Chorus - 2x]
In "Sunshine," Z-Ro and Lil' Keke talk about the struggles of living in the ghetto and trying to find hope amidst the violence and economic hardship. Z-Ro reflects on the gloomy and gray environment that surrounds him, with law enforcement always on the lookout to incriminate him. Despite the struggle, he advises listeners to keep their heads up and not give up, even when it feels like the world is against them.
Lil' Keke joins in, describing the world as dirty and cold, with his mind consumed with regrets and sins. He searches for sunshine, hoping to turn a new page and leave his troubled past behind. Together, both rappers lament on the struggles they have faced in the ghetto and commit to fighting for a better future for themselves and their communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Man what happened to the sun on my lawn it's so gloomy and grey
Z-Ro is questioning why everything in his environment feels dark and bleak.
I got a feeling 5-O gone try to do me today
Z-Ro is worried that the police will unjustly target him.
Nothing but backstreets for me cause I don't need a vacation
Z-Ro doesn't have the luxury to take time off and must navigate the dangerous areas of his city.
Looking for front run up that seem the only compensation
The only potential escape from the struggles of his surroundings is to come up financially.
The hood is on fire, other soldiers won't let it down
Despite the struggles, there are people working towards a better life in the community.
They ain't set tripping but out here jacking has been alive
Gang violence is not the issue, but crime still exists in the area.
Misery spinning what they clicking for no reason at all
People are turning to crime for no clear reason other than desperation.
Even intentions of stacking paper they pleasing them all
People are so desperate for money that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
And outside, smelling like nothing but formaldrahide
The smell of death is all around due to the high crime rate.
It's an everyday suicide, R.I.P. to the ones that died
Living in this environment is dangerous and there have been many casualties.
Wake up before you get caught up don't keep on selling your soul
Z-Ro is warning listeners not to become too involved in the dangerous activities around them.
Until your life fall up, you got to try to find
Despite the difficulties, people need to keep looking for a way out of the struggles.
We living in a world that's dirty and so shife
Lil' Keke acknowledges the corruption and dangers of their environment.
You trying to figure out this the game that's called life
Navigating their environment feels like a game that's hard to win.
These days is cold and got me searching for my soul
The harshness of their environment has driven Lil' Keke to try and find deeper meaning in life.
Like paper bags and lawn chairs man you unfold
Lil' Keke is trying to find his way in life, like unfolding a new object.
I'm looking out my window for some, sunshine
Despite the struggles, Lil' Keke is keeping his eyes open for better opportunities.
I'm trying to give it up cause I swear it's my time
Lil' Keke believes that he is destined for better things in life.
This the ghetto, and that's all I know
Lil' Keke recognizes that his environment is all he knows.
Another episode from the young don and Ro
A new song from Lil' Keke and Z-Ro.
If the family is tight, then everything's alright
Family is important and can help overcome difficulties.
So quick to catch flight for the sunlight, uh
People will do whatever it takes to escape their struggles and find happiness.
Seem like I can't stand the rain prosecution and struggle up in my brain
Z-Ro feels overwhelmed by the difficulties he's facing.
Got to tell me slow down if you can see all of my veins
Z-Ro's struggles are taking a toll on him and others can see the impact it's having on his health.
Cause I ain't having none of that riff raff to get back and blood
Z-Ro won't let anyone take advantage of him or get in his way.
Keep my enemy close to me cause your killer be your 'cause
Z-Ro is cautious and keeps those who would harm him near in order to stay safe.
I wish I was, able to socialize with why'all
Z-Ro wants to connect with people in a more positive way, but struggles due to his environment.
Instead of trading war stories and taking lies from why'all
Z-Ro wants to share positive experiences with others instead of just sharing stories of struggle.
It's how it be though, Lil' Keke and Z-Ro we on the grind
Despite the difficulties, Lil' Keke and Z-Ro continue to work hard towards a better life.
Long as they talking about us, we know we staying on they mind
Their success is on people's minds, so Lil' Keke and Z-Ro know they are making progress.
Don't hate us congratulate us, why why'all turning up why'all nose
Despite success, some people will still scoff, but Lil' Keke and Z-Ro are proud of their accomplishments.
Cause it's been we be spittng straight be burning up why'all glow
Their hard work and success make others envious.
Want to take it away from pin and pad and pick up a gun
Some people choose a life of crime instead of working hard for success.
You better repent my dog it's over, you done better try to find
Z-Ro warns those choosing a life of crime that their fate is sealed and encourages them to make better choices while they still can.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATRICE BART-WILLIAMS, CAMERON MC VEY, PAUL SIMM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Th3rd 3ar Plan3t Radio
This was the hungry z-ro. You can hear it in his rhymes. Also you can tell he was inspired by rappers like big mello, street military, klondike kat, etc. He fits perfect in that circle.
Maserati Martinez
Shit ya Awready know 100
arcade tokyo
its damn near impossible to produce this quality of hits these days
Lawrence Mack
This man has helped me get to my morning and also my day thanks zro
BBE MINO
Zro got timeless classics man we almost in 2020 les go
Mrs. Lopez
2021 🤩
OmuthaFxnP
2022🤘
DuvalT87
One of my favorite songs from him
Joe Good
2025
Maserati Martinez
Zro n krino are the best lyricist in Houston, hands down