Denzel Curry: Zuu [LOMA VISTA]

Why you'll love it

Zuu is Curry's tribute to Miami rap, mostly produced by FnZ and built for the car. Pitchfork named it Best New Music, and it debuted at No. 32 on the Billboard 200.

About the album

Zuu is what people in Carol City call Carol City, and Denzel Curry made this album after a stretch away from home left him homesick. After the darker, heavier Ta13oo, he wanted something lighter on its feet: a celebration of the Miami Gardens neighbourhood that raised him, and of the local rappers and sounds that shaped him on the way up. He went to Miami Carol City Senior High and started work on his first album while still in class there, so the subject was never far from his mind.

Production comes mostly from the duo FnZ, with Tay Keith, Charlie Heat and Ronny J among the guests behind the boards. "Ricky," named for Curry's father, and "Speedboat" were the singles, "Wish" brings in Kiddo Marv, and Miami royalty Rick Ross drops by on "Birdz." "Automatic" is a Tay Keith collaboration, Ice Billion Berg joins "Carolmart," and Sam Sneak and PlayThatBoiZay round out a guest list drawn from the 305.

Pitchfork called it a stunning Miami rap opus, and several critics put it in their year-end lists. Putting a hometown tribute on vinyl is a bit like sending your mum a postcard she can actually play.

Also at Kops: more Denzel Curry on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On PH Recordings / Loma Vista (cat# LVR00653), the 2019 album.