Rap-A-Lot Records founder J Prince reveals whose idea it was to finally make a music video for one of Houston’s most famous anthems.
In April, Houston rap icon Z-Ro announced that his beloved anthem, “Mo City Don Freestyle” would be getting a video 20 years after the song’s release. Now the video is closer to reality, filming in and around the Fifth Ward this week. Prince revealed to Houston radio personality JMac just whose idea got the ball rolling on something that should have happened a long time ago.
“Let me tell you the truth, my son J, it was his idea,” Prince said after being asked if it was his decision to finally do the video. “Of course, he painted the vision behind to me, and it made sense, and I got behind him.”
When the announcement was made, the news that this iconic song, which is so beloved, had never had a music video was shocking to many. But things happen for a reason, and the song’s continued place in the hearts of Houstonians, and the opportunity to bring it to a new generation of fans is one of the positives from waiting so long.
It’s also provided an opportunity to celebrate one of the city’s greats.
The video was shot this week in Fifth Ward, so if you rode through and wondered why there were so many slabs and folks with camera set-ups, that’s why. Candy-coated vehicles equipped with elbows lined the streets, and, along with Z-Ro and a huge crowd that gathered to passionately recite the song, have put together what looks like it will be a very Houston video.
While most fans are excited, the video shoot location has come under some criticism. Z-Ro is of course, from Missouri City. That’s on the southside of Houston. Many are asking why the film is set solely in the Fifth Ward.
“Why he ain’t make it in mo city?” one commenter asked.
“This is like me making a song Greens Point and I shoot the video in Sugar Land,” one clever comment argued.
But perhaps there’s no need to worry. Comments indicate that there was a separate video shoot in Mo City, which makes sense; music videos usually have several different locales. It seems there was, in fact, a video shoot for Z-Ro’s classic record in Mo City at the 2000 Grams dispensary.
Additionally, the reason the Fifth Ward is heavily featured is probably because of Prince, who is from and still active in the historic Houston neighborhood. Prince is also more than likely financing the video; it makes sense his neighborhood would be featured, especially considering the working and personal relationship with the Mo City Don himself.