About Me
Sir name Lorenzo Hall, aka Zoesta Tha Roasta. Born 1-7-1971, in East Oakland, California,
to the proud parents, Leroy and Mary Ann Hall. The second of 6 children, four brothers
and one sister. He was introduced to the game at an early age. His uncles and aunties
were deeply rooted in the game and he would eventually become a product of his environment. His
criminal career started at the early age of nine by committing petty crimes while running with the
older crowd. By thirteen he had made it to juvenile hall. He clearly was a juvenile delinquent. At
one point he couldn't get his parents to buy him a skateboard, so he picked one out that he liked
and took it. The only problem was, someone else was riding it. He eventually was caught,
arrested, and given probation. After that he continued to have a reckless regard for the law.
By the age of 15 he was introduced to the purchase and sale of crack cocaine; after that, it was
on. He learned how to cop, cook, and sell. By the age of 16 he was running his own spot. His
whole family was apart of the drug trade. 25th and Foothill Blvd was were they ran the business.
He quickly created a name or himself with strong arm tactics and a very serious demeanor. He
made it a point to affiliate with the worse of the worse and the retched of the earth. He easily
held his own, and his street rep continued to grow.
By age nineteen he was well known in his neighborhood as a bonified gangsta.
He was good from the hip or the shoulders and was up for any challenge. He and his
older brother, Big C, were two of the hottest MC's in the hood. They both had been
rapping since age 13 and 15. Still at age 19 he graduated to prison for assault with a firearm,
(an investigator came to his turf to investigate a drug case and got his car shot up with him in it,
in broad daylight). He went on the run and was later caught and sent to prison for a three year
sentence. While in prison, he didn't miss a beat, he joined an organization called Kumi and
immediately started moving up in rank. It was clear to higher ranking members that he had the
entire package, intelligence, wit, muscle and a military style of taking care of business. Finally
released from prison, he continued his pattern, but while incarcerated he had sharpened his
lyrical skills and decided to try his hand at music. He met a cat named Willie Clay, who was
producing a couple of local acts. Things didn't work out immediately. He was shipped back to
prison for a year flat because of an accusation that he shot a police officer. It couldn't be
proved in court, so a violation was all he received. One year later he was back on the street.
He immediately hooked up with a home boy of his named Big Jean, who along with a friend of his
named Sean, created a record label called Two Black Men Records. It took about a year but Zoe
and his big brother Chris completed their first album titled Next 2 Kin - Ghetto Poetry. Two Black
Men Records put the album out but bad karma was certain. Zoe was arrested for another
violation and later charged with a double homicide. Big C was picked up on an unrelated drug
charge. This would cripple the sale and promotion of the project. Zoe stayed in the county jail
for 18 months and 50k later acquitted of all charges. His co-defendant Keith "Hot Lips" Smith and
Leroy "Fly" Coleman, who still claim their innocence, were found guilty and given life in prison.
Released from North County April 29, 1996, feeling blessed and very free, he reunited with his
family. He had promised to leave the game alone, but the lure of the streets pulled him right
back in. He was home for 5 months moving, shaking , and wiggling with the best of them.
On September 23, 1996, he was at a local club when he got into an incident.
The story goes, he whooped on a cat inside the club and the guy couldn't accept
the loss. He ran outside and geared up with a change of clothes and a ski mask.
While Tha Roasta was trying to leave the club the assailant approached him, but
Tha Roasta was prepared. Zoe was shot twice while pulling his weapon and gunned the
would be attacker down. He was then driven to the hospital by close relatives and found out
he was hit with two through and through wounds on his right hip and left side. He was later
charged with the murder of Marcus James. The charge of murder was later dropped and he
was charged with being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. He went to trial and was found
guilty and sentenced to 7 years at 80%. This put his rap career on hold indefinitely. For the
next 3 years Pelican Bay State Prison was to be his home. Stressed out and ready to give up,
he would try to numb his pain by experimenting in illicit drugs, such as heroin. That was his
preferred drug of choice and he would get it by any means necessary. Rumor has it, he started
a war over a drug debt with the notorious Sureno prison gang. It was alleged to be one of the
worse prison riots in Pelican Bay history. The date was February 23, 2000. Tha Roasta was
stabbed 14 times; 4 times in his head, once in his shoulder, and once in his collar bone, 6 times
in his back, once in his neck, and once in his arm. The video tape of the riot showed he fought
hard and never went down. He was then transferred to Colinga State Prison, where he finished
his sentence. He paroled August 6, 2002, which gave him another chance to pursue his rap
career. He apparently could not keep his head on straight. He left Heroin alone and started
snorting powder cocaine. He became his own worst enemy. Five months and a few more
enemies later, he was back in prison with yet another violation.
He went to Folsom Prison for one year flat for possession of ammunition. He was
released January 17, 2004, with yet one more chance to do the right thing. By this
time he was a stray dog wounded. Hooked on powder cocaine and delusionary
about trying to re-claim his glory. He once again fell short of his potential. Eight
months later he found himself in High Desert State Prison for allegedly being involved in a
three hour stand off with two other associates, that made the Channel 2 news. By this time it
was clear he was tired of being tired. He did six months and was released March 2005. The
struggle of his addiction and the peer pressure of the streets had accumulated lots of material,
but by now no one would take him seriously. Word was out that he could no longer be trusted.
In a fit of rage he lost it and began reeking havoc on the streets. His reputation grew even
worse. He no longer cared about rap. He was ready to die. There were contracts on his life
because of his relentless bully tactics. Even those that loved him were afraid to be around him
until the tragic death of his young cousin, Jamonie "Monie Hogg the Great" Robinson. He was
murdered October 17, 2005, at his home by a gun toting coward for no relevant reason. Music
was his dream and this tragedy changed not only Zoe's life, but everyone who loved him. They
were not only affected by his untimely demise, but by the energy of his life. Zoe quit doing
drugs and launched a campaign to create a project that Monie Hogg would be proud of. He
established All Family No Friends Entertainment, which was the creation of Sturle Burrows and
Jamonie Robinson. He hooked up with Thizz Entertainment with family member Stanley
"Mistah Fab" Cox and the rest is history. His album titled "The Judge" is due to released soon.
It's a masterpiece so DONT SLEEP!! At this time, Tha Roasta is currently incarcerated and awaiting trail. We appreciate all your continued support. Keep your eyes and ears open. They cant keep a real soldier down.
