Z-Ro - Let the Truth Be Told (2005)

1. Mo City Don (Freestyle) 4:25

2. The Mule (feat. Devin the Dude & Juvenile) 4:29

3. Don't Wanna Hurt Nobody (feat. Trae & Lil' Boss) 3:31

4. Platinum 3:30

5. It Don't Stop 3:41

6. I'm a Soldier 3:35

7. 1 Night (feat. Trae) 5:07

8. Help Me Please 5:00

9. Another Song 4:20

10. Everyday, Samethang 4:18

11. The Same One 3:57

12. 1st Time Again (feat. Ashanti) 4:31

13. From the South (feat. Lil' Flip & Paul Wall) 3:50

14. Respect My Mind (feat. Tanya Herron) 4:59

15. Ride 2 Night 4:33

16. Auntie & Grandma 4:10

17. It's a Shame 3:26

"Entertained by my struggle and they'd love to see me die..." 

Nothing short of a modern classic. Like many of his albums, it starts off like a gangsta party, with Z-Ro killing it over the "Paid In Full" Coldcut remix instrumental, banging bitches with Devin and Juvie and threatening your life with Trae and Lil Boss, but a few tracks later he's back in hell, with "Help Me Please" maybe being THE single most miserable song he's ever recorded. I could almost write a whole review about this track alone, it might be the most tragic rap song I've ever heard. The beat is a massive epic electric blues number, and Ro pretty much outlines everything wrong with his life in three verses, from spending every other summer in prison to all of his friends betraying him to just plain feeling horrible and down and out. The only ray of sunshine in Ro's live is, apparently, his cousin Trae, who he refers to as an "angel". Screw you if it sounds emo, how many other rappers would say something like that on a record? Exactly one. I can't even get into naming other individual tracks, the whole thing is superb, even the song with Ashanti is cool. The production is, again, phenomenal throughout the whole damn album. Because it's Rap-A-Lot, even the tracks that are basically the modern equivalent of '70s smooth soul ("Respect My Mind") have that massive low end thump that reminds you that you're listening to the same label that put out Willie D's Controversy. Some people claim Z-Ro is the current day, southern equivalent of 2Pac, and while I don't think that's 100% accurate, I will say that if Z-Ro IS the modern Pac, this album is his Me Against The World, with him coming realer than he ever has before over maybe the finest production he's ever received.
-ClintRuin

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Z-Ro - I'm Still Livin' (2006)

1. City Streets 5:27

2. Continue 2 Roll (feat. Tanya Herron) 3:33

3. T.H.U.G. (True Hero Under God) 3:44

4. One Deep 4:22

5. M16 (feat. P.O.P. & Trae) 4:32

6. Remember Me (feat. Bun B & P.O.P.) 4:12

7. Keep On 3:49

8. What's Going On? 3:38

9. Let the Truth Be Told (feat. Lil' Keke) 3:48

10. Man Cry 4:30

11. No More Pain 3:24

12. Still Livin' (feat. H.A.W.K. & Trae) 3:57

13. Homie, Lover, Friend 3:56

14. Love Ain't Live 4:05

15. Battlefield (feat. Tanya Herron) 4:20

A polarizing album- I'm Still Livin' is Z-Ro at his best lyrically, but with some of the corniest beats he's ever rapped on. Often fans get over that and in fact begin to enjoy them in all their corniness as they listen to the album more and more. Of course some are just confused and wonder why the southern rap legend didn't just pick better ones.

Example:

Making Spandau Ballet gangsta since 06

Or:

'Cept I'm one of those stockholm syndrome fans who came out loving the corny songs in particular

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Z-Ro - Look What You Did to Me (1998)

1. Guerilla Till I Die (feat. Taz) 4:32

2. Look What You Did to Me 3:30

3. City of Killers (feat. BAM, Taz & Trae) 5:42

4. Life Story (feat. Al-D & BAM) 4:01

5. Ghetto Crisis (feat. Taz) 4:42

6. Pimp On 4:17

7. Mercy (feat. Fakkulty & Taz) 4:34

8. Where Is the Love 4:12

9. R U Down (feat. Fakkulty, Taz & Trae) 4:07

10. Dedicated 2 U (feat. Chris Ward) 4:06

11. Lord Tell Me Why 4:06

12. Tall Tale of a G 3:32

13. Paper Game 3:50

14. And 2 My G's (feat. Taz) 4:41

15. Z-Ro the Crooked 3:28

Z-Ro's first album and the one a lot of people think is his best. Similarities to Scarface and 2Pac in his storytelling and style, but also totally unique. The production isn't anywhere near as good as he is on the mic (or maybe it just hasn't aged as well) but I actually like it because it's so chill behind his passionate delivery

In an industry where a debut's success can make or break a rap career, Z-Ro had to settle for local acclaim and used "Look What You Did to Me" as a foundation for an increasingly fruitful recording career. I like to fancy that someday it might be celebrated as Bruce Springsteen and Binary Star's earliest records are—independent regional favorites by young, struggling artists so blatantly talented that, once revisited after their commercial breakthroughs, the world can't believe they missed them. Despite huge respect, critical acclaim, and unconditional love in H-Town, it took years for Z-Ro to even splash the national radar, and for such a talented, appealing, passionate, emotional, and prolific artist—especially one so universally lauded—it can be downright upsetting that he remains as underrated at he is. Introducing a superb rapper, captivating vocalist, and deft producer, "Look What You Did to Me" is that rarest of debuts that showcases a fully developed artist, one ready to shine even if the world wasn't prepared to return the favor.
-RapReviews

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