DON’T FUCK WITH TEXAS!!!

After seein Web post the tribute to Pimp C I felt it was only right to do something like this. Now, when I first started listening to Hip Hop it was around ‘91 and Eazy-E had just opened the doors of music up to me. Within a few short months my whole idea of music had changed. If it wasn’t some straight up gangsta shit, I wasn’t havin it. But all my tapes weren’t filled up with much West Coast shit like N.W.A. or Snoop Dogg. Nor was it filled up with any East Coast dudes holdin down like G Rap or Biggie, although that stuff was never too far away. It was all about the Dirty South (that name wasn’t around back then) and Houston just seemed to be where everything was really poppin and makin a stand for Hip Hop in the South. The most fucked up part about this is in the city of Richmond, BC (Southside, Vancouver for those who don’t know) where I grew up, Southern Gangsta Rap in the early 90’s was very easy to find which still kinda makes me scratch my head a bit. And I’m not just talkin about dudes like The Geto Boys or UGK. I mean like straight underground shit that could only be bought in local southern record stores at that time. Never the less, I’m very happy that it was there cuz I got to listen to what I like to think was golden age of Southern Rap. So here’s a few songs that got steady play back in the day from me. Click the song titles to download. (Web’s Note: This is 100% true. For some reason we managed to get the illest shit outta the south before even they had it. Can anybody say Ice Cream Man?)

Big Mike – Playa Playa (‘93) – This song pretty much speaks for itself. It’s Big Mike goin off over a great Al Green sample and it’s just some in your face ‘94 pimp shit. People just don’t do it like this anymore.

UGK – Bump & Grill feat. N.O. Joe (‘98) – Stickin with the theme of pimp shit heres a track produced by none other then N.O. Joe, who if you didn’t know is one of the greatest southern producers of all time. A legend in music in my mind. This song’s off of the I Got The Hook-Up soundtrack and was much better than the movie which was absolute trash.

5th Ward Boys feat. Willie D & Devin The Dude – Pussy,Weed & Alcohol (‘97) – Now a few people might have heard this one before. But having the most country dude in the rap game yelling pussy over and over again is enough to make a classic rap tune, I think. And if you were wondering how may times they say pussy in this song I’m pretty sure it’s 115. Some might say it’s a little excessive, but I think it’s just about right.

Botony Boys – I’m Just A G feat. Vic (‘93) – This song is pretty much Houston rap at it’s finest. I can’t even think about how many blunts I smoked to this song in the summer time over the years. I always wondered where these guys ever went.

ESG – Swangin’ & Bangin’ (Screwed ‘95) – I couldn’t toss out a bunch of songs and leave out ESG and none other then the late great DJ SCREW who was massive for me growin up. We used to bang so much screw it was fuckin retarded and this was one the classics for sure. (Web Note: Our homie Killa’s tape deck actually started to automatically screw tapes up for us, NO JOKE.)

Odd Squad – Smokin Dat Weed (‘94) – The Odd Squad was the first group that Devin the Dude was apart of and they released an album in 94 called Fadanuf Fa Erybody which if you like Devin is a must have. This song is about nothin other then smokin that Coffee which is much needed.

Coop MC – Drug Related feat. PSK-13 (‘96) – This is a song from two of my favorite artists to ever come outta Texas. Coop MC was one of the most underrated rappers to come out of the south in the 90’s. He had a real smooth flow and witty concepts. The other is PSK-13 a member of the South Park Coalition (SPC) who was very big back then in Houston and still is to this day.

3-2 – Hit The Highway feat. Too $hort,Eightball & MJG & UGK (‘96) – The Reverend 3-2 was another big hit for me back in the day. I still don’t think there are too many people who can flow like this dude can. Then you have Too $hort who at that time was still fresh ass hell. I can’t say anything more than that, really. Eightball & MJG and UGK are both in my top five Hip Hop duo’s of all time.

Klondike Kat – Material Life feat. SPC (‘97) – Klondike Kat was another member of the SPC along with others like Point Blank, Ice Lord, Ganksta NIP, K-Rino & PSK-13. This was another smokin classic for me back in the day. And they actually spit some real shit on this.

PSK-13 – Like Yesterday feat. UGK (‘97) – Now this is one of the realest songs to ever come out of the south. On the same level as a song like One Day by UGK or 6 Feet Deep by The Geto Boys. A must listen if you ain’t never heard it.

Geto Boys – Get It On feat. Rap-A-Lot Records (‘93) – I Don’t there has ever been and will ever be a better crew song than this track. Almost everyone on Rap-A-Lot records at the time is on this track. Notable appearances are Devin at 4:45 and Ganksta NIP right after him who might be the hardest rapper of all time.

UGK – Feds In Town (‘94) – This song is from UGK’s sophomore album Super Tight which might be their best album to date. On this track we got Bun spittin the story of a southern d-boy and the trials & tribulations they have to deal with. A classic song off which, I think, is a real 5 mic album.

Enjoy,

Grizz