Let The Truth Be Told

“Let the Truth Be Told” is the ninth studio album by Z-Ro, released on April 12, 2005, through Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records.

The story

Z-Ro, born Joseph Wayne McVey, grew up in southwest Houston near Missouri City, the source of his nickname the Mo City Don. His previous album, “The Life of Joseph W. McVey” (2004), was his first on Rap-A-Lot and helped carry his name beyond the South. The follow-up was supported by the singles “Platinum” and “From the South,” featuring Lil’ Flip and Paul Wall.

Sound and production

Sessions took place in 2004 and 2005 at studios in New York City, Denton and Houston. Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, Bigg Tyme, Dani Kartel, Cory Mo, Clay Dixon and Davion Botts produced, with Z-Ro contributing as well. The seventeen tracks, running over 71 minutes, feature Trae tha Truth, Ashanti, Devin the Dude, Juvenile, Lil’ Boss, Lil’ Flip and Paul Wall. “Mo City Don (Freestyle)” rides Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid in Full,” and songs such as “Platinum” deal with poverty, faith and self-reliance and are carried by Z-Ro’s deep baritone. A chopped and screwed edition was also released.

Legacy

The album peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard 200, No. 14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 5 on the Top Rap Albums chart. Reviews were positive, with IGN scoring it 8.2 out of 10 and RapReviews 8 out of 10.

Released April 12, 2005. More from hip hop in 2005.