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.
Why?
Z-Ro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Hook: Tanya Herron]
Why, do we live this way
So many murders, where the children play
And it's about, to make me lose my mind
We're running out of time, too many of my people dying
Day by day it's more impossible, to hold on
I'm going head up with the shadow of death, and getting stole on
Will I survive, is God gonna come and save me
I started out as a Christian, now look at how this world made me
I'm crazy, and I can't make it no better
Cause I can't stand none of my friends, my only love is for the cheddar
I remember, sipping on Tangaray and getting high
Down with eachother, long as we was barely getting by
We grown men, and all living in sin
Shooting a kite to my people, cause he in prison again
Letting him know that the streets ain't changed, still wicked
Plus I been burying so many motherfuckers, we bound to kick it
Up close and personal, cause niggaz be pushing my button
I handle my bidness, and exit they homes gangsta strutting
One deep, nobody's got my back
Motherfuckers just be hanging around me, because I rap
Trying to stab me in my back, and if they could they would
That's why I pack my twin bitches, cause I don't even feel safe in the hood
At least on lock, you know what the danger is and what's not
Free world you'll be evicted, when a coward bust shots
That's the life cycle, kick it with real niggaz
And never let the shife by you, because the devil is they idol
Man they tied up my nigga, and sawed off his head
The cold part about it, they ain't even take no bread
[Hook]
[Z-Ro]
My nigga Grady took seven shots, and one bullet hit him twice
Although he's blessed, my nigga just can't leave the thug life
You know it's fucked up, both of us was in class with honors
But soon would drop out, addicted to cash and marijuana
And the fast life, we bled the whole hood last night
Hard headed dumb niggaz, just trying to get they cash right
Hustling, hoping we can get a million
But like a chameleon, nigga the game done changed
Wish it would rain sometime, to help a nigga wash away the pain sometime
I shed ghetto tears daily baby, I can't hide the fact
Feeling like everybody's out to get me, so I don't hide my strap
I ride like that, with one up in the chamber
On my block if you ain't got a glock, you's in danger
Continuously head busting for nothing, my friends and my enemies
Nothing but recollection, as I remember the memories
If I could be like Jesus, I'd spread the love
But I can recognize the demons, so I spread the slugs
These motherfuckers say they love me, but I'm peeping they lies
Feel like jealousy and envy, when I look deep in they eyes
That's a friend for you, laced up with your girl and then try to
Spend your ends for you, and when it's drama they won't send for you
That's the reason Joseph, is one deep until he die
I ain't gotta wonder why, my people want to see me fly, fuck em
[Hook - 2x]
The lyrics to Z-Ro's song "Why?" highlight the struggles and pain of living in a world filled with violence and death. The song speaks of how each day it becomes harder to hold on in this world, and how the shadow of death is always lurking. Z-Ro mentions how he started out as a Christian, but the world has made him crazy. He has lost trust in his friends and only loves the cheddar.
The lyrics continue to reveal how Z-Ro has buried so many people that he has become accustomed to death. In the streets, he is on his own and with nobody to back him. The song says that life is a cycle, and to survive, one has to avoid the shife by staying away from fake friends who can turn enemies. Z-Ro takes control by riding with a gun, and he spreads the slugs of those who try to undermine him. He acknowledges that he can recognize the demons, and his love is spreading slugs instead of love because that's the only way he knows how to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Day by day it's more impossible, to hold on
Every day it feels harder and harder to keep going.
I'm going head up with the shadow of death, and getting stole on
I'm constantly fighting death and sometimes it feels like death is winning.
Will I survive, is God gonna come and save me
I constantly question whether I'll make it through my struggles and if God will intervene to help me.
I started out as a Christian, now look at how this world made me
Even though I had strong faith in the past, this world's events and cruelty have turned me into something else.
We're running out of time, too many of my people dying
Time is running out for us and too many of my loved ones are dying without justice being served.
Letting him know that the streets ain't changed, still wicked
I'm sending a message to my incarcerated friend that despite his absence, the streets are still dangerous and full of wickedness.
Trying to stab me in my back, and if they could they would
My enemies and even some of my so-called friends are constantly plotting against me and would do anything to harm me.
Man they tied up my nigga, and sawed off his head
My friend was brutally killed by violent criminals who didn't even need a motive to do so.
My nigga Grady took seven shots, and one bullet hit him twice
My friend Grady was shot multiple times and one bullet hit him twice, which shows how senseless and deadly gun violence can be.
Although he's blessed, my nigga just can't leave the thug life
Even though Grady has had some luck and blessings in life, he still can't escape the dangerous lifestyle he's living.
But soon would drop out, addicted to cash and marijuana
Although we started out as ambitious students, we eventually dropped out of school and became addicted to money and drugs.
You know it's fucked up, both of us was in class with honors
It's sad and ironic that both my friend Grady and I were once excellent students, but now we're struggling to stay alive in a cruel world.
Feeling like everybody's out to get me, so I don't hide my strap
I feel like everyone is a threat to me and my safety, so I carry a weapon to protect myself.
If I could be like Jesus, I'd spread the love
If I had the ability, I would love and care for everyone like Jesus did.
But I can recognize the demons, so I spread the slugs
Unfortunately, there are evil people in this world and I will use violence to protect myself and others from their harm.
That's a friend for you, laced up with your girl and then try to
That's what some friends do- they pretend to be supportive, but then try to steal from you or sabotage you behind your back.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CALVIN E. (GENE) TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Htx_Screwww
I remember having this song on repeat while I was down and out, practically homeless and struggling and tearing up, Ro got me through it. Hope he knows how much he’s helped me and a lot of his fans, I owe this man 🤘🏽🙏🏽
SILENCIO
Tyler Escamilla hell yeah fam
Lil Narm
Cmon 💯
Clinton Walker
It's a blessing how a real nigga done been there And out.bless you brother
Francesca
definitely one of zro best albums, lots of struggling at that time of life.
If you don’t work you don’t eat
2021 and still jamming
TheDangerDane
This is one my favorite songs, you can tell when someone pours their soul on a track.
Aaron Jackson
Album dropped in 2000 still speaking to the streets, no mumbles. Classic
JD N/A
STILL jammin in 2018.!!!! This shit hits home everytime Z-Ro a real one 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Josh Williams
The world would b a better place if every1 would wake up to this song playin