Metro Zu

Metro Zu
OriginMiami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Years active2007–2017
Past members
  • Lofty305
  • Ruben Slikk
  • Freebase
  • Poshstronaut

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, Yung Lean and Raider Klan. They have been cited as an influence on XXXTentacion and Lil Peep.

History

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. 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.

Subsequently, Metro Zu became involved with Miami's Art Basel scene, appearing at annual events in which they showcased paintings, graffiti, photography and musical live performances. At one point, they spray-painted the Catalina Hotel as well as a Lamborghini, which was later sold as a $250,000 art piece. In 2013, Vice described Metro Zu's 2012 mixtape Mink Rug as "strangely addicting".

Fellow Broward County rapper XXXTentacion collaborated with Lofty305, Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God on their SpaceGhostPurrp diss track titled "SPACEGHOSTPUSSY." This was followed by Lil Peep and Ruben Slikk collaborating on the track "Fuck Fame”, released in 2016.

Members

Lofty305
Born
Robert Thompson

(1991-06-05) June 5, 1991 (age 35)
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • rapper
  • visual artist
  • record producer
Years active2007–present
Formerly of
  • Metro Zu

Robert Thompson (born 5 June 1991), known professionally as Lofty305, is an American rapper from Miami-Dade County, Florida. He is the younger brother of Ruben Slikk, and a founding member of influential rap group Metro Zu.

He has collaborated with notable artists such as Denzel Curry, Raider Klan, Yung Lean, Yung Sherman, King Krule, Thouxanbanfauni, and Yung Beef.

Legacy

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."

Discography

Mixtapes

Compilations

DJ Mixes

Singles

References

  1. ↑ Denzel Curry (Ft. Lofty305, Ski Mask the Slump God & XXXTENTACION) – (RIP YAMS) SPACEGHOSTPUSSY, archived from the original on June 8, 2024, retrieved October 25, 2024
  2. ↑ No Jumper (April 27, 2016). The Xxxtentacion Interview. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 "Pitchfork Staffers on Their Most Formative Rap Albums". Pitchfork. August 8, 2023. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Capell, Frances (March 25, 2013). "The Noisey Guide to Rappers to Watch in 2013". Vice. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  5. ↑ Dazed (January 25, 2013). "Metro Zu's cartoon Miami bass". Dazed. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  6. ↑ Red Rum (July 12, 2013). Spaceghostpurrp - Freestyles Compilation Raider Klan x Denzel Curry x Ruben Slikk x Yung Simmie. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ FEETONDACOUCH (May 7, 2021). LOFTY305 INTERVIEW. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024 – via YouTube.
  8. ↑ Pitchfork (August 8, 2023). "Pitchfork Staffers on Their Most Formative Rap Albums". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Best of Miami 2013's Best Electronica Artist: Metro Zu". Miami New Times. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  10. ↑ Capell, Frances (January 22, 2013). "Get to Know Lofty305 of Metro Zu". VICE. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  11. ↑ "ORPHEU BLeKK, by CHE_305". CHE_305. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Best of Miami 2013's Best Electronica Artist: Metro Zu". Miami New Times. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  13. ↑ Rosenthal, Emerson (September 12, 2012). "Jesus Boyz: The New Mixtape From Propr Boyz". VICE. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  14. ↑ Schiewe, Jessie (November 17, 2014). "Metro Zu's Lofty305 Plunges Head First Into the Art World with Miami Showing". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  15. ↑ Superchief presents: Metro zu x Lamborghini at Miami Art Basel 2012. March 19, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ keithjamesbusch (December 9, 2011). Metro Zu live at Art Basel Miami!. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ CSPG Art Basel Documentary 2015 #METROZU. November 1, 2022. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Capell, Frances (January 22, 2013). "Get to Know Lofty305 of Metro Zu". Vice. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Mixtape Round-up: Main Attrakionz, DJ Mustard & TeeFLii, Metro Zu, Yung Lean, and more (page 4 of 11)". Fact. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  20. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (September 20, 2018). "How Denzel Curry Helped Pioneer 'SoundCloud Rap'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Denzel Curry - SPACEGHOSTPUSSY (RIP YAMS) (feat. Lofty305, xxxtentacion & THESLUMPGOD)". Denzel Curry. January 26, 2016. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025 – via YouTube.
  22. ↑ Ruben Slikk (Ft. Lil Peep) – Fuck Fame, archived from the original on June 8, 2024, retrieved October 25, 2024
  23. ↑ FEETONDACOUCH (May 7, 2021). LOFTY305 INTERVIEW. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ Morpurgo, Joseph (November 22, 2012). "Zuology". Fact. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  25. ↑ Fuertes-Knight, Jo (November 5, 2012). "Metro Zu: "Zuology" Mixtape". Vice. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  26. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (November 3, 2023). "Regional Rap Classics Are Slowly Disappearing From the Internet". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 8, 2025.