I've seen a few threads about rappers in Houston, so I've decided to share my thoughts on some old and new rappers that's representing Htown. Mike Jones - He is by far the best promoter in Houston. Who? Mike Jones!....this one phrase has him selling close to a million copies is amazing. His lyrics suck harder than Krystal Steel, but his beats and hooks are always top notch. I used to hate on him cause he just flat out sucks, but after listening to a few of his songs, I just can't stop jamming Who? Mike Jones! Slim Thug - One of the better rappers in Houston. His lyrics aren't that great either, but his vocal presence and style makes up for his lack of lyrical skills. This guy haven't dropped a major album and is already a millionaire. He'll blow up very soon. Paul Wall - This is the typical Houston rapper. When he was rapping with Chamillionaire, he used strong punchlines and wordplay about cars and hoes. Now after going back to the swisha house, he raps about the same thing as everybody else in the south....NOTHING. The only thing he improved on is his delivery. He isn't great lyrically either, but he knows how to do hooks and pick beats. I liked him when I was in high school and still jam his older songs. Chamillionaire - The best lyricist in Houston by a hair (Killa Kyleon 2nd). Scarface held this title, but his deep topics and real talk just can't match the creative punchlines and multi-syllible structured rhyming that's in most of Chamillionaire's verses. In the past 5 years, he's improved more than any rapper in the South. His first album with Paul Wall called "Get Ya Mind Correct" sold 100,000 independent. After signing a major deal with Universal, he's ready to release his debut album. Lil Flip - He crowned himself "The Freestyle King". Lil Flip can freestyle for hours, but he isn't really saying much in his freestyles. For that reason alone, I can't count him as a good freestyler. He's one of the more successful rappers to come out of Houston. Without his new southern sound, we wouldn't see the emergence of Mike Jones, Slim Thug, etc. He has gone platinum with his last 2 albums. Scarface - The Geto Boyz were the first group that put Houston the map and Scarface was the main member. Back in the day, his lyrics were so deep and made you think about the issues that people had to endure during their hard times. I would never knock on what he has done for the city of Houston and also the music industry, but to this day I still think that he is lyrically overrated. Tupac and Biggie are very gifted lyrically, but they can not touch Nas and Eminem (listen to Renegade). Scarface is a good lyricist, but he can't even touch Tupac. For people to say that Scarface is one of the best lyricists ever, I really really disagree. Remember don't knock me because Scarface did this and that for us, I'm talking stricly about lyrics. Z-Ro - The modern day Scarface. Great lyrics, good singing, outstanding delivery....everything you want in a rapper. He won't ever get big because he raps about life and doesn't have the image or promotional tools. His new hit single "From the South" is getting him a lot of airtime, but he still won't sell over 100,000 even on Rap A Lot. Kiotti - Been known as a battle rapper after beating Lil Flip in a freestyle contest on 97.9 the box. His radio hit "Hooka Hooka" has been played everywhere, but still nobody knows his name. Now he's signed on Asylum and is ready to make his major release that people in Houston are waiting for. His style and delivery makes him very marketball. Kiotti has been doing shows on the radio, tv, and clubs for 4 years now. I've talked to him a few times. He knows how to get it done. Godwon - This guy is the best battle rapper in Houston. He was on a freestyle battle show on Showtime and won the whole event. I don't think he's ever lost a battle anywhere. He did a few intros for DJs at 97.9 and was the most requested unsigned artist ever in Houston. He just did a song with Aztec (signed onto Roc-a-fella). I tried to get him on my CD, but I didn't want to pay him $500 for a verse. Look out for this guy. Killa Kyleon - He's on Slim Thug's lable, Boss Hogg Outlawz. If you only listen to his delivery, you'll think that he's from New York. I consider him to be 2nd best lyricist in Houston. If he didn't talk about killing peole and guns all the time, I would give the title to him. He also isn't very consistant in deliverying punchlines and creative rhymes. Sometimes you'll think he's a gangster Nas, but sometimes he sounds like a G Unit member. Overall he has a lot of potential to become another major rapper to rep Houston. Guo - Haha. I just had to put myself in here. I wanted to become a superstar, but things just haven't worked out. In 2002, I sold my first mixtape and sold 70 copies. In 2003 my next mixtape came out and I sold 200 copies. In 2004, I recorded many songs with great quality. My songs (Run Da Streets, Roll With You, Dem Hot Girls) were played on the Radio in Houston (Damage Control 90.1) and Austin (DJ Deuce Deuce 93.3). With a new website and a few people helping me out, I thought I could do something special with my rap career. Instead, I got into pharmacy school and decided to retire.
On the last New Year's Eve I was purchasing a Black Dodge Magnum (with the HEMI) at the Dodge Dealership in Tomball. Slim Thug shows up in his Black Impala SS and drops 5 grand on the counter and wanted to buy my car out from under me. He left the cash there in case the deal fell through and came back to get it when we closed the deal. He probably would have pimped it out more than I have.
I like all the Houston rappers that have made it on the radio. They do a good job reppin' H-Town. My favorite Houston rapper is Slim Thug. Like Got Em said, the distinctive thing about him is his deep voice and delivery. I have all his singles and cannot wait until his CD comes out - it'll be tight. My second favorite rapper from our city is Lil' Flip. I'd say he has the most good songs (due to the fact he's got the 2 major CD's). If you haven't been under a rock the past few years, you've heard his "Game Over (Flip)" and it's one of the coolest rap songs out there, a classic, in my opinion. I agree with Got Em about Mike Jones. His rhymes are even dumber than the already typical mainstream rapper lyrics and he can get old kinda quick with his repeated, repeated repetition of the same verses, buttt it is catchy. "Still Tippin", "Back Then", "Cuttin", and "Got It Sewed Up" are all pretty tight, basically the whole CD is catchy. Paul and Chamillionaire's "Get Ya Mind Correct" was a good CD. I like both rappers. I can't think of another white rapper besides Eminem - Wall is probably the most popular, I'm glad another good white rapper is from Houston. I hadn't heard of the Gheto Boys before their last CD, "The Foundation." I really like that CD - I think that CD would be enjoyed by both underground and mainstream rap fans alike. If you're from Houston and like rap, you should have that CD. I don't know anything about the other rappers mentioned. Houston rap is definitely on the rise.
I used to see Paul Wall out front of the UC at U of H all the time. I knew he was probably somebody "important" since he was the only white guy I've ever seen with cornrows and fronts with a circle of black dudes coming up to give props. I like the fact that Houston rappers don't take the whole thing too seriously. Rap is party music. I don't really like the stuff that strives to be "deep" and "artistic" although I'm sure that appeals to others.
I love Houston music because you can listen to it anywhere and a lot of them aren't really offensive. Sometimes I can't stand that "I kill you and you kill me" crap that people rap about nowadays. I like Mike Jones because he makes good music even when he can't rap. I don't really like the "deep" stuff either, but I like rappers such as Nas and Z-Ro since they can write deep lyrics and make catchy hooks at the same time.
If I have to hear one more stupid ****ing "Chopped and Screwed" version of a rap song I'm going to bomb the Swishahouse Recording Studio.
If you listen to the lyrics of his "radio friendly" song, it's still better than most. Go download a few of his other songs..."Crooked Officer" is a good one.
You can thank DJ Screw for that - the father of choppin' and screwin'. Didn't he OD on cough syrup? Damn, now that right there is a hard mother.
Has anyone gotten Slim Thugs new album? It is pretty good. There is a bonus song on the CD called "I love this game". First thing after hearing it is this man wants to preform at the all-star game in Houston next year. It is basically a basketball song using the NBA's slogan. Over all a good CD. Also, Bun-B has a solo album on Rap-A-Lot coming out soon. That has the potential to the rap album of the year. Pimp C released a solo earlier this year that is good.
Why don't you find some verse that Tupac or Biggie did that can match the verse Eminem did in Renegade? This is not 10 years ago when these 2 rappers are the best lyricists in the world. They are famous for more than their lyrics. Why don't you explain why you think my statement is "crap"? Quit being a freaking jackass. You should just open up a little bit. People need to hear this song. Just by reading the lyrics won't show you how great this verse actually is. You have to hear how Eminem delivers this verse. Jay-Z Ft. Eminem - Renegade Eminem's verse: Since I'm in a position to talk to these kids and they listen I ain't no politician but I'll kick it with 'em a minute Cause see they call me a menace; and if the shoe fits I'll wear it But if it don't, then y'all'll swallow the truth grin and bear it Now who's these king of these rude ludicrous lucrative lyrics Who could inherit the title, put the youth in hysterics Usin his music to steer it, sharin his views and his merits But there's a huge interference - they're sayin you shouldn't hear it Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish But I'm debated disputed hated and viewed in America as a mother****in drug addict - like you didn't experiment? Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror and see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrased And I got nothin to do but make you look stupid as parents You ****in do-gooders - too bad you couldn't do good at marriage! (Ha ha!) And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here I don't think you do so stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo Cause here we go - he's {*Jigga joint Jigga-chk-Jigga* And I'm the sinister, Mr. Kiss-My-Ass it's just the
Slim Thug's album is okay. I expected some better beats, but it's just the same sounding stuff from Pharrel. There are 4-6 good tracks on it. Also, a lot of rappers have used the NBA theme song on NBC. It's very popular and you can find the instrumental on lime-wire.
A couple of things. I think if you're even a big Tupac fan, you have to admit he isn't the best lyracist. I mean how many times he gonna say bury me, hennesey, remember me, history, as I proceed. Seriously. Em's verse on Renegade is one of the best in hip hop history, and I am no Em fan. Last, Em's still not better than Big. There has never been a better storyteller than Big and he's got tight lyrics to add to his stories.
I've heard the song before, and yes it's a great verse but I just think Pac brings more to the table lyrically, emotionally and all. Starin Through My Rearview Now I was raised as a young black male In order to get paid, forced to make crack sales Caught a n***a so they send me to these overpacked jails In the cell, countin days in this livin black Hell, do you feel me? Keys to ignition, use at your discretion Roll with a twelve gauge pump for protection N****z hate me in the section from years of chin checkin Turn to Smith and Wesson war weapons Heavenly Father I'm a soldier, I'm gettin hotter cause the world's gettin colder, baby let me hold ya Talk to my guns like they fly b****es All you bustas best to run look at my b****es Now I know the answers to the question, do dreams come true Still starin at the world through my rearview My Block They got a n***a Sheddin tears, reminiscin on my past fears Cause **** was hectic for me last year It appears that I've been marked for death, my heartless breath The underlying cause of my arrest, my life is stressed And no rest forever weary, my eyes stay teary for all the brothers that are buried in the cemetery **** is scary, how black on black crime legendary But at times unnessecary, I'm gettin worried Teardrops and closed caskets, the three strikes law is drastic And certain death for us ghetto bastards What can we do when we're arrested, but open fire Life in the pen ain't for me, cause I'd rather die But don't cry through your despair I wonder if the Lord still cares, for us n****z on welfare And who cares if we survive The only time they notice a n***a is when he's clutchin on a four-five My neighborhood ain't the same Cause all these little babies goin crazy and they sufferin in the game And I swear it's like a trap But I ain't given up on the hood, it's all good when I go back Hoes show me love, n****z give me props Forever hop cause it don't stop... on my block
Thanks for the reasonable post. I can't stand it when people like Lil Pun just goes into threads and start bashing people without giving an explanation. I respect your opinion, but I disagree with the Biggie statement and here's why. I use these categories to separate lyricists. Rhyme Structure: Eminem has the obvious edge here. Biggie used multi-syllible rhyming at times, but it just isn't complex as Eminems. I'm not talking about when Eminem is being homo and raps about puppets. When Eminem is on the right track, he has the more complex rhyming structure. Story Telling: Biggie is one of the best at it. I will give this one to Biggie, but if you listen to "Mockingbird" or "Stan", Eminem shows that he can hold his own on storytelling. Wordplay: Wordplay is how the rapper sets up his lines or what words he choose to use in his lines. Biggie is great at telling a story and use words well to set up his punchlines, but Eminem is a lot more creative. You can tell he has a broad vocabulary and is very knowledgeable about today's issues. I give the edge to Eminem on wordplay. Punchlines: This area is more for battle rappers. If both of them were to battle it out, Eminem would win by a mile. Battle rap is a whole different subject, so I will get into that later. I will just comparing these 2 on punchlines in their songs. Punchlines are where the rapper says a line to make the listener to wild. Most of these are similies and metaphors. If you listen to Fabolous, Jadakiss, and Big Pun, you can hear these punchlines. But Eminem and Biggie songs aren't really punchline heavy, so this area is a tie. Based on what I have discussed, I still rate Eminem as a better lyricist, but not a better rapper. I didn't take into accout the style and delivery because we're comparing these rappers based on lyrics only.
