A major player in Houston but relatively unknown outside the Lone Star State, Z-Ro has a hardcore work ethic and relentless determination that pushes him to drop several albums’ worth of material every year. Affiliated with the Screwed Up Click and down with local legends Scarface and UGK, he released his debut solo album (Look What You Did to Me) back in 1998 and hasn't looked back since. On Straight Profit, he shares the microphone with an assortment of Texas homies, including Tantrum, Yungstar, Trey D, Dat Boy Grace, T-Pop, and Slimm Chance, delivering deep verses over mellow but funky production that’s heavy on the low end and on the layered keys. Smarter and more original than your standard Dirty South emcee, he continues to impress on tracks like "Nigga from the Hood," "Steady Ballin," "On the Edge," and "Smoker's Anthem." Consistent from start to finish, it’s another solid album from the Houston hero.