Each week a different member of the XXL staff waxes philosophical on all things hip-hop. With so many different personalities making up the team, the posts reflect each individual’s personal perspective on the culture and gives insight into the people behind the brand. It’s hip-hop on a higher level, live from 1115 Broadway.
Atlanta Gets Hip-Hop Love, But What About Texas?
Before Atlanta took over Southern hip-hop, there was Texas…
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Over the years Atlanta’s trap stars have taken over the South’s spotlight. Gucci Mane, T.I., Waka Flocka, Big Kuntry King— through mixtapes and commercial hits, Atlanta’s heavyweights have found a way to take over Southern hip-hop. But what about the third coast rhyme slingers that exist outside of Atlanta, has everyone forgotten about them?
Before Atlanta took center stage, Texas was home of screwed music and home of Southern hip-hop. With Swisha House pushing their Sunday Night Chopped & Screwed Mix on Houston’s 97.9 The Box, artists like Z-Ro, Lil Keke, Mr. Pookie & Mr. Lucci, Big Moe, Fat Pat, and the rest of the Screwed Up Click, including the late DJ Screw and Big Hawk, had the rap game on lock. I remember when “25 Lighters,” “Chillin’ Wit My Broad,” and “Southside” used to be the songs that made Tinsel Town and any other Houston club go crazy. UGK was that slow riding, windows down, wheels spinning group that anybody in the South, including Georgia, would rock to. So the question is, what happened to Southern rap outside Atlanta?
While UGK has definitely staked their claim on the charts over the last four years by taking the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Rap Album charts with UGK 4 Life in 2009 and Underground Kingz in 2007, it seems like everyone’s forgotten about the rest of Texas and what the third coast has to offer.
Mr. Pookie & Mr. Lucci were one of the dopest duos to come out of the Southside of Dallas/Forthworth, and “Smokin’ Marijuana” help put them on the map. “I can feel it in the back of my mind/it’s like Mary Jane came at the right time … Mary Jane to the brain/I’m in love wit chu b*tch.” Everytime that song comes on I can’t help but move my hand from left to right and snap when the beat drops. There’s no doubt that record’s a classic. So if lil’ ol’ me can recognize and remember Texas’ relevance to hip-hop, why can’t anyone else?
Atlanta’s had hip-hop as a culture, as a music industry, as a way of life under its 33/84 geographical belt for the last seven years at minimum, but that doesn’t mean its distant cousin four states away has to be neglected, does it? —Amber McKynzie
Amber, what irresponsible supervisors you have. How could they let you publish such dry content in such bulk.
At any rate, Atlanta and Texas is the Armpit of HipHop.
Talent stops at Bun B and Andre 3000.
wow ,somebody doesnt know about dj screw scarface zro and trae ,i can keep going ,hater ,u should be shot tha world got enuff haters
ummmmm…..dumb dumb………..pookie n lucci is from DALLAS,TX, not houston!
@isimply – it’s just a blog, not an in-depth article. It’s food for thought. Cause when’s the last time you were going crazy, or even cared, about anything coming outta Texas … unless you’re from Texas ….
ATL got newer artists. Everybody you mentioned from H Town are veteran artist. They just need some new blood thats all.
What the fuck, B? Yo, you know that every time you say “Waka Flocka” that I kill 10 kittens? I’m not playing either—I rolled through Waka’s hood the other day and had some bitches scoop up all the stray cats that was living inside and around his mom’s crib. I took them shits back to my house, the White House to be exact, and stashed them in my private gymnasium—word life I just murked about 50 of them little bitches just based on the shit I just read on XXLmag.com, alone. I’m cutting kittens’ heads off muhfucka so stop saying that corny muhfucka’s name. Gotdamn.
–OG Matt Herbz–
Oh, and before I forget–I just listened to that shit-stanking lame-ass “Smokin Marijuana” song and lucky I had a fresh Champion hoodie to change into after vomiting up my $200 lunch on the first one. That song sucks. Period. Muhfuckas, it’s 2011, are dudes STILL singing songs about weed? Like, what the fuck else is there to say about that shit? You smoke it… You get high… It makes your dick feel like a magic wand of galactic pleasure… Who doesn’t know all that shit already? Fuck outta here Dookie and Bicci…
–OG Matt Herbz–
Atlanta has probably done more damage to hip hop then any other state – snap music – crunk music -
young dro
yung la
gucci mane
waka
oj da jew mayne
ying yang twins
lil jon
texas gets its props if you like rhymes about hoes/purple stuff & riding chevys – but i prefered the bay area rappers who rhymed about that
got bad news for u,waka is from nyc ,go check
the midwest is where itz at right now. very few lames in this area. sorry for u in the south wit niggas like waka i mean i would never let him rep my city….
B-HAMP IS THE TEXAS RAPPER HE WILL BE THE GREATEST
its not chevys nigga its lacs on 4s swangaz super pokas gorilla pokas 17 in 20 in 22 in apple over silver wet drippin Grant woodwheel grippin big grill belts and buckles buckhide interior 5th wheel swanga in da trunk aint nuthin like comin down the boulo (boulevard for retards) fresh out da car wash knowin u holdin bolted up nigga lookin good
You sound like an ignorant negro (prolly white). Go read a book, get a job, get a degree, clean yo house fool! How can you live with garbage in your yard son!