Cocaine [Chopped & Screwed]

Despite his status as one of hip-hop's most prolific artists, Z-Ro never quite spreads himself too thin. The provocatively titled COCAINE is his second release from 2009, and features his trademark self-aware, yet rapier-sharp lyrics over some of the hotter beats out of the fertile Houston scene. The Intro skilfully sets out the landscape as the dark-vocaled MC reflects upon his choice of a life of street dealing without a shred of remorse, while stressing his decision was not exactly the wise one. From there, Z-Ro, an expert storyteller, wanders from tale to tale, each one delivered with a novelist's touch, on a record which somehow transcends cookie-cutter.