Z-ro ANGEL DUST

Audio Mixer: Joshua Moore.
Recording information: King Of The Ghetto Studio, Houston, TX.
Following suit in the Houston rappers' run of drug-titled albums, like on former outings Crack, Heroin, Cocaine, and Meth, Z-Ro continues to plug away with his syrupy southern flow and throaty Nate Dogg-esque hooks for Angel Dust. As usual, there is no shortage of drowsy, slightly trippy content, but he tests boundaries a little more here. Songs range from the threatening "Phuq wit Me" to the freaky (albeit hardcore) bedroom jam "Dicconyu," all the way to a rare, sentimental acoustic ballad titled "Heaven." The beats typically bump, but perhaps Z-Ro's biggest draw is his Everyman rap style. That, paired with his constant hustle -- as proven by his mile-high catalog -- gives him the credibility of the dude down the block selling mixtapes out of his trunk. There's no denying he has a lot of heart and drive, and this "realness" goes a long way in the rap world. ~ Jason Lymangrover

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop