Your Favorite Rappers' Favorite Rappers: Metro Zu

What's up everyone, it's been a minute. Well, maybe not, I think I'm just not as consistent with this blog as I would like to be. But, what good comes with force? It's difficult to be driven if I am not riveted with the topic. Luckily, I have been, which brings me here today, as I have been putting it off for a bit. I've been rather busy, with a failed attempt to move out, attempting to learn more things regarding music-making, and feeling my frontal lobe potentially solidifying. Anyways, enough on that. I hope you all have been well and awesome.

And for the record, I know the title seems obnoxious. It's a draw in, and may be true. I know that statement usually refers to MF DOOM. But wait, OK, listen... Hear me out, OK?   

Underground rap has always been a prevalent (and perhaps embarrassingly personal) interest for me, as I've mentioned too many of times. Being 22, I wasn't quite around for the hay-days of what I, and other enthusiasts (lol) see as the "golden era" of the underground, as this specific movement occurred when I was like, below 12. Though, when I was 13, I began my conquest on Soundcloud, but of course my involvement was strictly online.

OK, I’ve been struggling to think of a proper intro where I can meticulously slip the collective I’m talking about today. It's been hours of deleting and getting distracted so I will just cut to it.

Metro Zu. 

They have been in heavy rotation the past month, after some routine nostalgia-baiting, and it’s been a bit of an embarrassing fixation (all I want to talk about)... and that’s what this blog is for. Let me get it off my chest.

The late 2000s/early 2010s were a rich time for hip-hop, with “blog-era” rap emerging through internet circulation and kickstarting the careers of artists like Drake and Mac Miller, and the later development of rap collectives that remain widely known today, such as Odd Future and ASAP MOB. While most became later widely known, there lie a niche of hip-hop that could easily be categorized as something within the internet niche, I suppose, unless you were local to whatever respective scene.

 And within those scenes, Florida was a prevalent spot for underground rap, spawning rappers who have had their good deal of fame like Kodak Black, XXXTentacion, and Denzel Curry. But, some of the real, (and I’d argue, objective) kickstarters of the scene never went far out of their home state… that is, unless you were a computer-dweller. One notable character would be Spaceghostpurpp; the undeniable pioneer of the darker aesthetics in internet based music, drawing from 90s Memphis rap, horror, and other lesser-used influences, marking the beginnings of an edgy subculture that lingers on today. But on the opposite end, there was Metro Zu. A group started by two brothers Ruben Slikk and Lofty305, and Poshgod, the collective started small, only thereafter including one other official member, Mr. B (Poshstronaut), with the exception of affiliates Mike Dece and Denzel Curry. Their style was one I can only describe as horny, weirdo stoners. Or at least, that's how they started. Their lore remains a bit vague, as I browsed reddit and the Wayback machine for whatever I could scrounge up.

*I won't use this post to recommend albums, as I haven't made it through their whole discography, being that a good amount of it is off streaming, and I haven't had the time*

Poshgod, Slikk, and Lofty

 The group formed in Miami in the year 2007, when they were all still in high school. Self releasing mix-tapes online, dropping 15 before their gradual disbandment, with the last tape coming out in 2013/14(?). Their output was somewhat intense, with 3 or 4 tapes a year from 2010-13, which I guess in retrospect isn't as much as some rappers during that time (quantity over quality money mindset). The difference with them, though, they never seemed to have a weak record. With production ranging from your typical (BUT NOT TYPICAL) "cloud rap", local-representing Miami bass, straight up Dubstep, you name it! This gave a refreshing, new sound that was undoubtedly enjoyable as really any kind of music. Well, for me personally, I don't find intrigue to play it around people, as there is one common occurrence in their music- skin crawling-ly sexual debaucher themes. Like, it gets a bit overbearing at times, but more on that later. Their distinct, feel-good, jocular sound made for something truly special, which can be seen as a time piece today.

Zu Lambo for 2012 Art Basel

This goes for their art/art affiliation as well. Thanks to producer and artist Poshgod, their aesthetic was unique, and his art style pretty representative of the 2010s. In the beginning, they decorated brother's Lofty and Slikk's parents home with their trademark art style, with the home soon began known as the "Zu Mansion", covering their rooms in profound grafitti. Many photos show Posh decorated skate decks, backpacks, and huge art pieces. They became heavily involved with the Miami arts scene, going on to create displays for the Art Basel, even spray painting a Lamborghini that went on to be sold as an art piece. 

With this definitive style, they went on to become what I mentioned in the header- your favorite rappers' favorite rappers, all while remaining relatively unknown. Prolific artist Yung Lean has constantly represented them, mentioning them as an influence in multiple interviews, and even starting his first show ever with a Ruben Slikk song. You honestly can hear the influence in his early works, with his ridiculously sexual and nonsensical lyrics. Lil Peep also was allegedly a fan, with multiple videos of him

 Zu mansion (MOEGREEEZY on Flickr)

dancing to various Zu-affiliated tracks. Though I can't say I hear a similarity, same with XXXTentacion, who is said to be influenced by the group. In the more recent, rapper Xaviersobased has been said to be a fan, even having a track called "yung feeshmeeks", a reference to Ruben Slikks most notable (weird) moniker. It's truly intriguing, as all of these artists are relatively large, and the underground becoming more prevalent, as quite literally everyone is constantly online now. 

Kushpack cover

Now a brief excerpt to talk about the actual music. Their first release, Kushpack Vol. 1 includes some of my favorite tracks. Softwork Hardhead has the silliest beat ever, and this tape includes less stomach-churning mentions of objectification. It just sounds like dudes having fun, my kinda thing. Buddha Therapy is probably my most listened tape, as the bass is nice and it serves as pretty upbeat music, as goes for everything else I have heard from them, with tracks like "Whitegirl" with it's 80s-esque dancey beat. If you like the dancey stuff, check out the 2011 tape "Electrozlapp", I was at the gym having fun listening to the track "Dance" today. Their discography is all over the place, I could sit around recommending tracks all day, but if anyone is curious, just message me! It's real vast.

Slikk pre-arrest...

On the other hand, I believe this short-lived local fame and relative public nescience all made sense in the end. With the previously mentioned overwhelming themes, it does not necessarily represent a great image. It was obvious it was reaching for that almost horrorcore-like profoundness (less violent than, say, early Tyler the Creator), but it was glaring at a point it seemed to be a bit sketchy. While you can differentiate the content through each members solo works, with Lofty305 being a nerdy, stoner, sometimes introspective freak, and Ruben Slikk rapping endlessly about sex in a off-putting misogynistic way. With his sexual obsession eventually taking over his life, as well as heavily mentioned drug addiction and a myriad of arrests, he seemed to be the catalyst to the end of this era. I don't necessarily want to turn this into a Slikk-a-thon, so I'll link a video here, if you're curious about his debauchery. He's probably the most covered thing in relation to Zu, being known as "the rapper who robbed a walgreens", and just a downright gooner. Don't get me wrong, I listen to him maybe *too* often, and I believe he was undeniably talented, but sabotaged his fate in a way seemingly irreversible. It is sad, but... watch the video honestly, I'd rather not beat a dead horse, this post is to display intrigue of the music, and the *vague* lore.

Now, I don't entirely believe in separating the art from the artist, but I can also vouch for the fact the group made phenomenal music that inspired later artists, and created a unrepeatable impression on underground rap. It's like the emo band Brand New. Vocalist sucks, I will not financially support them, but I can not deny their influence and insane run of albums. None of this is said to be controversial, as it is something I often speak of, with the age of accountability and call-outs. 

To close this off, I would like to state something, as it honestly tainted my motivation to write this. Parasociality is a curse, and I do believe we should hold individuals accountable for their actions. Just because someone is "your goat" does not by any means mean you should disregard their behavior and allegations, or beg them to become what they used to be. They are a human being, and human beings can be disgusting. Assault of any form is non-excusable, I don't believe it is something you can grow from It really was a shame, the amount of "don't cares" I saw on threads regarding Ruben Slikks potential allegations and charges. I have been met with this argument in my personal life, and I think this scratched the itch into a anger-induced gash of sorts. It's not funny, it's honestly disturbing how often I see this in general. Please hold people accountable, as well as yourselves! If your homie sexually assaulted someone, there is no simple way to put it, that is not a good person. OK, OK.

 But anyways, Yep, Metro Zu. Maybe this was not a convincing write up, but I had to get it off my chest. It is an interesting rabbit hole of sorts, and you can look at it retrospectively, as I have been.

 Thanks, and until next time! Also, if anyone ever listens to stuff I post about, tell me, haha.

- IONA