Release Date: March 29, 2024
Record Label: One Deep Entertainment/EMPIRE
Z-Ro’s latest album, The Ghetto Gospel, opens with a distinctive prayer that sets the tone for the record. Billy Sorrells recounts the rapper’s encounters with the devil, highlighting how Z-Ro dealt with Satan’s attempts to intrude by bluntly telling him to back off. The prayer also addresses the types of people who try to worm their way into Z-Ro’s VIP section at the club, treating him like a friend when they’re anything but. These pretenders are firmly put in their place.
The album gives a clear view of Z-Ro’s philosophy: loyalty to those who’ve supported him and a firm stance against those trying to exploit his success. This latest release, his first solo project since 2022’s Pressure, showcases his enduring vitality. Approaching 50, Z-Ro embraces his age and experience, using them to his advantage rather than hiding them. He remains true to his tastes—enjoying good weed, celebrating Houston, appreciating women, and valuing loyalty. While the tracks aimed at rivals and detractors are engaging, Z-Ro truly shines when paying homage to his passions.
The album features standout tracks like the smooth and sensual “I’m So High,” where Z-Ro introduces a new persona, Teddy Pentagram, and reminds listeners of the “grown man music” vibe. He celebrates his hometown and the pleasures of smoking high-quality weed. “Pimpin’ Over Here” offers a funky, P-funk-inspired sound with a lively bassline and an R&B chorus that shifts the mood from the club to more intimate settings.
The emotional depth of the album is evident in “Still Shinin’,” featuring Paul Wall and Mike D from the Screwed Up Click. This track blends Southern soul with old-school G-funk, proving Z-Ro’s ability to stay relevant while honoring classic rap elements.
Z-Ro stays true to his roots, avoiding trends and refining his signature style. The Ghetto Gospel may not reinvent the genre, but it reaffirms the enduring appeal of Z-Ro’s authentic sound.