# Z-Ro > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Z-Ro > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Z-Ro.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Ro > Source revision: 1356615592 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American rapper (born 1977)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Z-Ro |image = Z-Ro_cropped.jpg |caption =Z-Ro in 2011 |background = solo_singer |birth_name = Joseph Wayne McVey |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|1|19|mf=y}}[http://www.rapartists.com/artists/z_ro/biography Z-Ro Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719200957/http://www.rapartists.com/artists/z_ro/biography |date=July 19, 2011 }}. Rapartists.com (January 19, 1977). Retrieved June 21, 2011. |alias = The Mo City Don[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EU34RHK?keywords=Z-ro%20Tripolar&qid=1444780254&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2 Amazon.com: Tripolar: The Mo City Don: MP3 Downloads]. Amazon.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016. |birth_place = [Houston, Texas](/source/Houston%2C_Texas), U.S. |death_date = |origin = [Missouri City, Texas](/source/Missouri_City%2C_Texas), U.S. |instrument = |genre = [Southern hip hop](/source/Southern_hip_hop) |occupation = {{flatlist| * Rapper * songwriter * record producer }} |years_active = 1994–present |label = {{hlist|1Deep|[J Prince](/source/James_Prince)|[Rap-a-Lot](/source/Rap-a-Lot_Records)|[Asylum](/source/Asylum_Records)|KMJ|Presidential|Straight Profit|Fisherboy|S.U.C. (Screwed Up Click)|[Empire](/source/Empire_Distribution)}} |website = }} '''Joseph Wayne McVey''' (born January 19, 1977), better known by his stage names '''Z-Ro''' and '''the Mo City Don''', is an American [rapper](/source/rapper) from [Houston](/source/Houston), Texas. He was named one of America's most underrated rappers by ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'' in 2007.Sanneh, Kelefa. (May 27, 2007) [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/arts/music/27play.html "A Hip-Hop Hurricane and Other Phenomena"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829031427/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/arts/music/27play.html |date=August 29, 2011 }} ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)''. Retrieved June 21, 2011. ==Early life== Z-Ro was born Joseph Wayne McVey in Houston's [South Park](/source/South_Park%2C_Houston) neighborhood on January 19, 1977.{{cite web | title=Z-Ro Biography | url=http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/z-ro/664377 | publisher=Artist Direct | access-date=January 12, 2012 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025002453/http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/z-ro/664377 | archive-date=October 25, 2012 }} When he was 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 neighborhood in Southwest Houston near the suburb of [Missouri City](/source/Missouri_City%2C_Texas). When Z-Ro reached his late teens he was unemployed and resorted to drug dealing and hustling on the streets. According to Z-Ro, listening to the music of [2Pac](/source/2Pac), [Geto Boys](/source/Geto_Boys), [Bone Thugs-N-Harmony](/source/Bone_Thugs-N-Harmony), Street Military, K-Rino and Klondike Kat inspired him to work harder for his goal of leaving the streets. Z-Ro discovered his talent of [freestyle rap](/source/freestyle_rap)ping and after going through a couple of recording studios to make a demo, the CEO of a local label discovered and signed him. == Career == Z-Ro released his critically acclaimed Rap-a-Lot debut titled ''[The Life of Joseph W. McVey](/source/The_Life_of_Joseph_W._McVey)''.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/z-ro-mn0000598734/biography|title=Z-Ro – Biography & History|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=July 3, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073535/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/z-ro-mn0000598734/biography|archive-date=January 4, 2018}} The record was a huge success and helped expand Z-Ro's fan base beyond the South. In 2005, Z-Ro released ''[Let the Truth Be Told](/source/Let_the_Truth_Be_Told_(Z-Ro_album))'', which was well received. Z-Ro's 2006 album ''[I'm Still Livin'](/source/I'm_Still_Livin')'' was released while he was imprisoned for [drug possession](/source/drug_possession), to positive reviews.{{cite news |title=Project Pat and Z-Ro: The Unsung Heroes of Southern Rap |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/archives/2006/12/project_pat_and.php |first=Tom |last=Breihan |date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=September 7, 2008 |work=[The Village Voice](/source/The_Village_Voice) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922055817/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/archives/2006/12/project_pat_and.php |archive-date=September 22, 2008 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/arts/music/27play.html |title=A Hip-Hop Hurricane and Other Phenomena |first=Kelefa |last=Sanneh |date=May 27, 2007 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=September 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414161833/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/arts/music/27play.html |archive-date=April 14, 2011 }} It was called "a great album... powerful" but "relentlessly bleak" by [The Village Voice](/source/The_Village_Voice) and "one of the best rap albums to come out of Houston" by the [Houston Chronicle](/source/Houston_Chronicle).{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/entertainment/4314522.html |first=Eyder |last=Peralita |title=Z-Ro breaks ground, visits the past on new CD |date=November 6, 2006 |newspaper=[Houston Chronicle](/source/Houston_Chronicle) |access-date=September 7, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925151037/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/entertainment/4314522.html |archive-date=September 25, 2008 }} In 2010 he released the album titled ''[Heroin](/source/Heroin_(album))'', which was followed by an album titled ''[Meth](/source/Meth_(album))'' in 2011 and then ''[Angel Dust](/source/Angel_Dust_(Z-Ro_album))'' in 2012. Z-Ro released his first [EP](/source/Extended_play) under The Mo City Don titled ''Tripolar'' on August 25, 2013, via One Deep Ent. Z-Ro then followed up with ''The Crown'' in June 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-crown-mw0002673451|title=The Crown – Z-Ro – Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=July 3, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913000129/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-crown-mw0002673451|archive-date=September 13, 2017}} 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{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22126-gqom-oh-x-crudo-volta-mixtape/|title=Various Artists: Gqom Oh! x Crudo Volta Mixtape Album Review – Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|access-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614194603/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22126-gqom-oh-x-crudo-volta-mixtape/|archive-date=June 14, 2018}} and ''Legendary'' in November under his label One Deep Entertainment. In 2017, Z-Ro announced he was retiring and released ''[No Love Boulevard](/source/No_Love_Boulevard)'' in June as his final album.{{Cite web|last=Caldwell|first=Brandon|date=2017-07-07|title=Z-Ro Is Done With Rap; We're Not Better Off For It|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/z-ro-is-done-with-rap-after-his-stellar-no-love-boulevard-9586817|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Houston Press}} He came out of retirement 6 months later and released [''Codeine''](/source/Codeine_(Z-Ro_Album)) in December. In 2018, Z-Ro released [''Sadism''](/source/Sadism_(Z-Ro_album)) on November 16 under One Deep Entertainment and was distributed by [Empire](/source/Empire_Distribution).{{Cite web|date=2018-12-10|title=Review: Z-Ro's "Sadism" Speaks To Day 1 Houston Fans|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3324/title.review-z-ros-sadism-speaks-to-day-1-houston-fans|access-date=2021-05-10|website=HipHopDX}} In 2020, Z-Ro released an [EP](/source/Extended_play) titled ''Quarantine, The Social Distancing EP'' with appearances from rapper [Boosie Badazz](/source/Boosie_Badazz), [Slim Thug](/source/Slim_Thug), Lanlawd and late rapper Wicket Cricket. He then later released an album titled ''[Rohammad Ali](/source/Rohammad_Ali)'' on June 26.{{Cite web|title=New Album: Z-Ro 'Rohammad Ali'|url=http://rapradar.com/2020/06/26/new-album-z-ro-rohammad-ali/|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Rap Radar|date=June 26, 2020 |language=en-US}} In 2021, Z-Ro along with [S.U.C.](/source/Screwed_Up_Click) rapper Mike D released a collaboration album titled ''2 The Hardway'' with appearances from [Slim Thug](/source/Slim_Thug), [Lil' Keke](/source/Lil'_Keke), Beanz from the production duo, [Beanz N Kornbread](/source/DJ_Johnson_(musician)), Klondike Kat, Grace from Grace Boys, Duke Gutta, Oticia Redmond, [C-Note](/source/C-Note_(rapper)), [Big Pokey](/source/Big_Pokey), and [Lil' O](/source/Lil'_O).{{Citation|title=2 The Hardway|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5OMDvLVGBUhIQM0BwuEXag|language=en|access-date=2021-05-10}} In 2022, in a statement to ''[XXL](/source/XXL_(magazine))'', Z-Ro claims [Trae Tha Truth](/source/Trae_tha_Truth) asked to talk to him outside of a Houston restaurant before he allegedly sucker punched him. After that, several men jumped in and continued to assault him.{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Trent|title=Z-Ro Claims Trae Tha Truth Asked to Talk and Then Sucker Punched Him |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/z-ro-trae-the-truth-sucker-punched-fight/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=XXL Mag |date=August 30, 2022 |language=en}} ==Legal case== On July 26, 2017, Z-Ro was arrested after his ex-girlfriend, Just Brittany, accused him of beating her three months earlier. Z-Ro told the media that Brittany was using this accusation to get more publicity for herself as she is also appearing in a reality show on television.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2017/07/28/rapper-z-ro-arrest-publicity-stunt/|title=Rapper Z-Ro Claims Arrest Was a Publicity Stunt, Won't Address Recording|website=tmz.com|date=July 28, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309201430/http://www.tmz.com/2017/07/28/rapper-z-ro-arrest-publicity-stunt/|archive-date=March 9, 2018}} On October 10, a grand jury dropped the felony charges.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/10/rapper-z-ro-no-indictment-felony-assault-charges/|title=Rapper Z-RO Dodges Indictment in Just Brittany Beating Case|website=tmz.com|date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219020330/http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/10/rapper-z-ro-no-indictment-felony-assault-charges/|archive-date=February 19, 2018}} The next day, the [Harris County, Texas](/source/Harris_County%2C_Texas), district attorney filed misdemeanor charges against Z-Ro on the same alleged incident.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/11/rapper-z-ro-misdemeanor-charge-just-brittany-beating/|title=Rapper Z-RO Charged by D.A. in Just Brittany Beating Case After Grand Jury Passes|website=tmz.com|date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220161358/http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/11/rapper-z-ro-misdemeanor-charge-just-brittany-beating/|archive-date=February 20, 2018}} The case was later dismissed in January 2019 after Z-Ro completed a batterer intervention program.{{Cite web | url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Domestic-violence-case-dropped-against-famed-13520769.php | title=Domestic violence case dropped against popular Houston rapper | url-access=subscription | website=www.houstonchronicle.com}} ==Discography== {{Main|Z-Ro discography}} '''Studio albums''' *''Look What You Did to Me'' (1998) *''Z-Ro vs. the World'' (2000) *''King of da Ghetto'' (2001) *''Z-Ro'' (2001) *''Life'' (2002) *''Screwed Up Click Representa'' (2002) *''Z-Ro Tolerance'' (2003) *''[The Life of Joseph W. McVey](/source/The_Life_of_Joseph_W._McVey)'' (2004) *''[Let the Truth Be Told](/source/Let_the_Truth_Be_Told_(Z-Ro_album))'' (2005) *''[I'm Still Livin'](/source/I'm_Still_Livin')'' (2006) *''[King of tha Ghetto: Power](/source/King_of_tha_Ghetto%3A_Power)'' (2007) *''[Crack](/source/Crack_(album))'' (2008) *''[Cocaine](/source/Cocaine_(album))'' (2009) *''[Heroin](/source/Heroin_(Z-Ro_album))'' (2010) *''[Meth](/source/Meth_(album))'' (2011) *''[Angel Dust](/source/Angel_Dust_(Z-Ro_album))'' (2012) *''[The Crown](/source/The_Crown_(Z-Ro_album))'' (2014) *''[Melting the Crown](/source/Melting_the_Crown)'' (2015) *''[Drankin' & Drivin'](/source/Drankin'_%26_Drivin')'' (2016) *''[Legendary](/source/Legendary_(Z-Ro_album))'' (2016) *''[No Love Boulevard](/source/No_Love_Boulevard)'' (2017) *''[Codeine](/source/Codeine_(album))'' (2017) *''[Sädism](/source/S%C3%A4dism)'' (2018) *''Rohammad Ali'' (2020) *''Pressure'' (2022) *''The Ghetto Gospel'' (2024) *''Call Me Rother'' (2024) *''Unappreciated'' (2025) *''Never Love a Bitch Again'' (2026) ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Z-Ro}} {{Screwed Up Click}} {{Authority control}} {{Wikiquote}} Category:1977 births Category:African-American male rappers Category:Living people Category:Rappers from Houston Category:Screwed Up Click members Category:Underground rappers Category:Rap-A-Lot Records artists Category:Gangsta rappers Category:21st-century American rappers Category:People from Missouri City, Texas Category:20th-century African-American musicians Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:21st-century African-American male rappers Category:21st-century American male rappers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Z-Ro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Ro) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Ro?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.