From what I can tell this is another J. Prince album. Z-Ro, who is a favourite of mine, has had issues with Rap-A-Lot for years now, he hasn't mentioned this album anywhere and overall the quality and collection of songs is un-Ro like-largely with there being too many chick/sex songs for one album. For mine, there is also too much singing from Z-Ro and not enough hard spitting. Maybe some were going to be for the planned 'Rother Vandross Sings the Blues' album. It goes okay but there's no great stuff here. Best Tracks: Exotic Girl, Mo City, P.A.N.

I'm a big fan of Z-Ro. It put a smile on my face seeing him all over the net doing his first press run for album, particularly given the label issues he's had. While I didn't love his last album, he is one of the most consistent artists there has been and has his own distinctive style which has no doubt helped his longevity. I'll start with the negatives. My main problem with this is the subject matter. There is just too much repetition. Particularly if you've heard anything else he has done. Too many bars/songs about the fake, the haters, and 'bitches'. I think that lets this album down. The one song that varies the most is about the loved ones he has lost, 'Since We Lost Y'all', but I think the production is severely lacking there. The other is the production. Apart from maybe some songs on 'Crack' that are fire, I don't think I would say Z-Ro has had fire beats over his career overall, but there isn't a lot that stands out here. The third is probably the singing/rapping. I love his melodic approach to this and the mixture of his deep singing with the rapping but at times I'd like a bit more rapping. He often spits for a bar or two but then croons to finish. I want some more 'Guerilla Till I Die' spitting > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmo5AKUIUOw,2:55]. But I guess 'New Shit' is directed at me for that comment. The good. Much has been touched on, but the original style he provides. Among the repetitive themes, there are lots of nice bars, some with a humorous vibe. His remake of sorts of 'Many Men' by 50 Cent, 'Women Men', is a really strong track and I hear he has some more remakes in the works. While I have bemoaned the production not being fantastic, overall it's a consistent release as Z-Ro's usually are. 3.5-3 Best Tracks: Devil Ass City, My Money, Hostage, Women Men

At 18 songs this is the longest Z-Ro album for a while which probably contributed to my early feelings during the first listen - underwhelmed without much catching my attention. It didn't take long for some songs to stick though. The Notorious B.I.G./R. Kelly 'Fuckin You Tonight' 'cover', 'Up in You' is catchy, particularly if you know the inspiration for it. The hook of 'Not a Rapper' is dope as is 'Hi Haters' that has an R&B feel to it that would feel like something R. Kelly would sing over. 'Do for These' is catchy as well. From those few came more. There is no top 10 Z-Ro song here and I'm fiending to hear him over some dark production like what he has on 'Made' instead of some of these R&B influenced tunes, but they work for the singing/rapping stuff he is making. It's a few tracks too long but I'm enjoying this. Best Tracks: Good Guy, Do for These, Hi Haters, Not a Rapper, Up in You, About Me, Always

The album that would start Z-Ro's 20+ years in hip hop. You definitely hear the Pac influence during the album. This features more fast-paced rapping, that Z-Ro does brilliantly, compared to what we hear on his contemporary albums where he sings more often, that we see some of here, but it's predominantly on the hooks. He produces this as well, something that he has continued to do on a number of his albums. As with a lot of Z-Ro projects, the production isn't amazing and the strength is Ro's rapping, vocals and songwriting. The opener, 'Guerilla Till I Die', remains one of my favourite Ro songs from his entire discography. He raps brilliantly, the hook is catchy and the lyrics are interesting. The following title track isn't quite as strong but again features outstanding rapping. 'City of Killers' features a lot of features and the strength is the chorus from Ro. The strongest run of tracks is 'R U Down' to 'Lord Tell Me Why'. This album would be better with fewer features but overall it's the beginning of what Z-Ro would continue to provide for decades; highly skilled rapping, some melodic crooning and consistent albums. Beats: ★★★☆ Bars: ★★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: Guerilla Till I Die, Look What You Did to Me, Life Story, R U Down, Dedicated 2 U, Lord Tell Me Why, Paper Game

There are a number of beats that'll get you bouncing and E-40 is always entertaining, adding in some humous bars and punchlines. For an album with 18 songs, the production does perhaps sound too similar across the album though. An easy fun listen but there aren't enough high moments. Best Tracks: Breakin News, I Got Dat Work, Quarterbackin', If I Was a 5th