Metro Zu | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2007–2017 |
| Past members |
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Metro Zu was an American hip-hop group based in Miami, Florida, formed by Lofty305, Ruben Slikk and Freebase. They were later joined by Poshstronaut, while members collaborated with artists such as Lil Peep, ASAP Mob, Yung Lean and Raider Klan. They have been cited as an influence on XXXTentacion and Lil Peep. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Metro Zu was formed in Miami, Florida, in 2007 by Lofty305, Ruben Slikk, and Freebase. They self-released several mixtapes and albums online, which they recorded at their mother's home in Miami Shores, known as "the Zu Mansion". Though, mostly underage at the time, the pair held sessions while their parents were at work, with the rest of the group later dropping out of high school. [5] [6] [7] [8] Metro Zu members later released solo albums and mixtapes while still collaborating under the collective, most notable was the group Propr Boyz formed by Ruben Slikk and rapper Mike Dece. [9] [10] [11]
Subsequently, Metro Zu became involved with Miami's Art Basel scene, [12] appearing at annual events in which they showcased paintings, graffiti, photography and musical live performances. At one point, they spraypainted the Catalina Hotel as well as a Lamborghini, [13] which was later sold as a $250,000 art piece. [14] [15] In 2013, Vice described Metro Zu's 2012 album "Mink Rug" as "strangely addicting". [16] [17] [4]
Fellow Broward County rapper XXXTentacion collaborated with Lofty305, Denzel Curry [18] and Ski Mask the Slump God on their SpaceGhostPurrp diss track titled "SPACEGHOSTPUSSY." [19] This was followed by Lil Peep and Ruben Slikk collaborating on the track "Fuck Fame”, released in 2016. [20] [21]
In 2023, Pitchfork featured Metro Zu's 2012 mixtape “Zuology” was featured on their list, "Pitchfork Staffers on Their Most Formative Rap Albums." Writer Alphonse Pierre stated, "[...] Zuology simultaneously looks to the past and doesn’t give a damn about honoring it." [3] [22] [23]