Zilla (rapper)
Victor Gurrola Jr., better known by his stage name Zilla (formerly VG Skillz and V-Zilla), is an American underground rapper and producer from Houston, Texas. He is known for his style of rap, which combines East Coast hip hop with his native Southern hip hop. In 2010, Zilla became a member of hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs, founded by Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz.
Zilla | |
|---|---|
Zilla (left) with Vinnie Paz | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Victor Gurrola Jr. |
| Also known as | VG Skillz V-Zilla Blue Collared MC Zilla the Monster |
| Origin | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, Southern hip hop |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Babygrande, Enemy Soil South, Monster Musick Group |
| Member of | Army of the Pharaohs |
Coming out of Houston, Zilla got his start posting music online. He was discovered by Swedish producer Moonshine, leading to his successful 2001 debut album E.X.H.A.L.E. The album Lockdown Sessions followed in 2004, and three years later he joined forces with Houston locals S.W.A.T. Music Project, changing his style to the more traditional Southern hip hop style with his collaboration album Empty Bottles and Full Ashtrays in 2008.
Returning to his more lyrical, East Coast-influenced roots, he mounted a comeback with 2011's Interview with a Monster, letting it be known that his previous style was a "gross miscalculation" and that he was going to make music the way he feels and marks an official return. Zilla made his first appearance with Army of the Pharaohs on their fourth studio album, In Death Reborn, released in 2014.