Z-Ro’s new album, The Ghetto Gospel , fittingly begins with a prayer—even though it makes heavy use of traditional devotionals. The story begins with Billy Sorrells recalling the Houston rapper’s interactions with the devil, how Satan himself suddenly appeared from behind a bush and Z-Ro told the evil man to get off his dick . Worse than the devil’s temptation, however, were the people who snuck into the club’s VIP area and tried to treat Z-Ro like a friend. They certainly aren’t, the former Rap-A-Lot Records rapper has no doubts about reminding them.
This is a rather illuminating look at Mo Chengtang’s philosophy on the gospel of the ghetto. If you support him in his time of need, he will support you and do his best to serve you. But what if you were helpful and tried to milk him of the goodwill he earned? That thing can’t fly.
The most impressive thing about Z-Ro’s first solo album since 2022’s Pressure is how fresh his voice sounds. As he approaches 50, he uses his age and experience as a weapon on the project rather than something to try to gloss over. Z-Ro is smart. He knows what he likes—namely, good weed, Houston, lots of women, and loyalty. While songs about countering naysayers and haters are fun, he’s at his best when he pays homage to the things that lit his fire.
On the energetic and incredibly emotional “I’m So High,” he begins by introducing a nickname — “Teddy Pentagram” — before urging listeners to tuck their shirts in. After all, this is “music for adults.” Z-Ro reveals a playful set of pipes that celebrate his hometown and the joy of smoking. “Pimpin’ Over Here” is a country-style funk song supported by a crackling snare drum, a P-funk-inspired bass line and an R&B chorus that transports the song from the club to the bedroom.
The album’s emotional core is captured in “Still Shinin’,” which features Paul Wall and Screwed Up Click rapper Mike D. The trio swapped out Southern soul music for some old-school G-funk, proving they can still use their best rap skills. It’s a refreshingly modern take on the classic rap subgenre, and it emphasizes why Z-Ro remains so relevant after all these years.
He never chases trends or follows conventional wisdom, he knows what works best for him and perfects it time and time again. Ghetto Gospel is not a reinvention of the wheel, but a reminder that the wheel itself is a very good tool.
Release date: March 29, 2024
Record label: One Deep Entertainment/EMPIRE
Listen to Ghetto Gospel below:
