Denzel Curry, ZUU | Album Review 💿

Despite its brief runtime, ZUU gives Carol City, Florida rapper Denzel Curry a strong, well-rounded album with no shortage of hard-hitting bangers.

Rappers, rappers are everywhere (literally), but only a select few of them are the real deal. 24-year old Denzel Curry seems like he is ‘on his way’ to superstardom – or at least he should be.  The Carol City, Florida rapper received ‘universal acclaim’ in regard to his 2018 album, TA13OO, earning a metascore of 86. The brief ZUU marks my first time listening and reviewing a project by the rapper, but what is striking is just how electrifying Curry is.

“ZUU” 

“305, we in the house!” Fittingly, ZUU commences with “ZUU,” a brief but potent record that sets the tone.  On the melodic chorus, Denzel Curry brags about his drip, capped off by the infectious lyric, “Boy, we comin’ out the Zuu, Zuu, Zuu.” Beyond the chorus, Curry spits one tough verse, comprised of straight, un-pitched bars.  Although short, “ZUU” shines. Brief follow-up ✓ “Ricky” is even stronger, with its sick, malicious production work which serves as perfect fuel for Curry’s fire.  The pre-chorus is pitch-shifted, giving “Ricky” a gimmicky sound before Curry’s stand voices come through in all their glory on the catchy, rather prudent chorus:

“My daddy said, ‘Trust no man but your brothers
And never leave your day ones in the gutter’
My daddy said, ‘Treat young girls like your mother
My mama said, ‘Trust no ho, use a rubber.’”

The prudence doesn’t stop beyond the chorus.  At the end of the first verse, Curry goes on to quote ‘Ricky’ (his dad), “‘And fear no man but the man above your head’,” before once more quoting his mama, “‘Pray before you go to bed.’” On the second verse, Denzel remains charged up, reminiscing back to his first album (Nostalgic) and again, paying ode to Ricky. ✓ “Wish” keeps ZUU on-fire, thriving off a The B.B. & Q. Band sample (“Genie”). Here, Curry’s flow stands out in particular as he raps with ease showcasing agile, biting rhymes.  Once more, he drops a ‘dime’ when it comes to the chorus. Kiddo Marv guests on the second verse, matching the intensity of Denzel (“Step up in the scene, so fresh, so clean, like a detergent / Quick to cut a pussy nigga up just like a surgeon”).

“Birdz”

“Don’t test my dawg, they got holsters for real / Fuck a Pop-Tart, we carry toasters for real.” Woo! Unsurprisingly, a collaboration with fellow Carol City rapper, Rick Ross, is one of the best moments of ZUU. ✓ “Birdz” features a heavily distorted sound that exemplifies trunk-rattling satisfaction.  As he’s been the entirety of the project, Denzel Curry is ‘on 10’ as evidenced by his stellar ‘Pop-Tart’ line from the first verse.  Add some killer sound effects, another elite chorus, and a drippy verse from Rick Ross – including a Nipsey Hussle shout-out – and “Birdz” kicks some serious ass. “Automatic” is no slouch, maintaining the consistency and atmospheric energy level of ZUU.  Tay Keith provides Denzel with a phenomenal, hard-nosed trap backdrop.  Naturally, he slaughters that 💩.

As ‘automatic’ as Denzel Curry is, he’s even more locked in on ✓ “Speedboat”, which arrived in advance of ZUU. There’s good reason to salivate over “Speedboat.” The production (Rugah Rahj) is a great starting point. This badass backdrop includes lovely piano lines as well as the beat. Curry isn’t outshined in the least by the production, serving as the force that makes “Speedboat” the superb record that it is. Following a dramatic intro, he unveils the simply glorious chorus that slaps the first time you hear it:

“Big talk, speedboat
Pray to God I don’t get repo’d
Didn’t go to college for a free throw
People gettin’ killed through the peephole
Have your money up before you go to war
Put the mask on like a luchador
My dawg didn’t make it to 21, so I gotta make it past 24.”

One of the most notable lines from the chorus references the late XXXTENTACION. Beyond the chorus, Curry continues to bring the heat over the course of two verses.  He reflects on his life and his come-up.  “Gas, all in my brain, it fumigating my thoughts,” he raps on the second verse, continuing, “Thinking ‘bout intricate plots / To get out the hood, that’s when I started to jot.” Simply put, Curry is on fire on “Speedboat,” earning a spot as one of my 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in May 2019.

“Carolmart”

A couple of interludes/skits follow the masterful “Speedboat.” “Bushy B Interlude” is comprised of an intro followed by a verse. The end of the verse is quite repetitive, focusing on drip and sex (“Poppin’, poppin’ / Pop the bra she topless / And the drop is topless / Bands and panties droppin’”).  As for “Yoo,” it’s an entertaining skit, particularly the ending: “That niggas said one word the whole motherfuckin’ time / Miami niggas different, bro.” ✓ “Carolmart” ends up being worth the wait, finding Denzel Curry once more representing for his city. Following the chorus performed by Ice Billion Berg, Curry spits, “A real-ass nigga from the 305 / I was raised off Trina, Trick, Rick and Plies.” Pretty sick, and it doesn’t stop there as he continues to bring the heat on both verses (“Put Dade on the map, gotta stay with a strap / Stay away from a roach ‘cause they raidin’ the trap”).

“Nothin’ but tutti-fruity / Get on the floor if you got that booty, booty!” ✓ “Shake 88” is exactly what you think it is – an ass-shaking anthem.  It’s not deep, nor is it meant to be in the least.  Curry says it best himself: “She gon’ shake that ass ‘cause she only live once.” Notably, “Shake 88” features an outro by Sam Sneak, complementing the ‘ass-shaking’ sentiment of the record. Penultimate record “Blackland 66.6” gives ZUU another skit, prefacing closer “P.A.T.” Once more, Curry doesn’t disappoint with his rhymes, referencing Voldemort on the chorus, and Hercules and Aqua Teen on his first and only verse.  PlayThatBoiZay takes the reins on the second verse, though the biggest pop-cultural gem he drops is Gotham (“Fly in the night with my bats, Gotham, fed watching”).

Final Thoughts

ZUU may only run 29 minutes, but Denzel Curry certainly makes the 29 minutes worthwhile.  Ultimately, there’s never a dull moment, with Curry maintaining high energy and dropping some stellar bars.  Even a low-IQ banger like “Shake 88” is worthwhile.  ZUU = Good stuff. 

✓ Gems: “Ricky,” “Wish,” “Birdz,” “Speedboat,” “Carolmart” & “Shake 88”

Denzel Curry • ZUU • Loma Vista • Release: 5.31.19

Photo Credit: Loma Vista