Houston is a well-known hip-hop hub, and that's largely due to the music of DJ Screw. By pioneering the chopped and screwed remixing method, Screw is one of the first dudes to make really slow rap music cool. It's safe to say that the music of Texans like UGK would be different if it weren't for his legacy, but it's also likely that modern rap-- the A$AP Rocky, Drake, Migos of the world-- would have different styles as well.
Born forty-four years ago today, DJ Screw (real name Robert Earl Davis Jr.) was able to alter the trajectory of hip-hop forever, and so it's important to give him some respect. To celebrate his birthday, we're delivering a list of Screw's 10 elite cuts.
DJ Screw - June 27
Over a chopped and screwed version of Kris Kross' "Da Streets Ain’t Right," which samples Biggie’s "Warning," Screw helped to create one of the pinnacles of Houston rap. A handful of TX legends got together on D-Mo's birthday had themselves one hell of a cipher, ending up in 37 minutes of fine, fine chopped and screwed hip hop.
DJ Screw - Pimp Tha Pen
Lil Keke blesses this slowed-down version of UGK's "Pocket Full of Stones," off DJ Screw's 3 'N The Mornin' tape.
DJ Screw - Ridin' High
Screw puts mad effects on this one. He also rewinds the line about sippin' codeine a couple times, making this one of the more appropriate tracks that resembled his style and, well, interests too. The turntablism is top-notch here, and it creates a dope atmosphere.
DJ Screw - Sunny Day
A good verse about the car is always appreciated in a Houston rap classic. Peep the "Sunny Day" and lose yourself in this one.
DJ Screw - My Mind Went Blank
A beat like "My Mind Went Blank" really shows how Screw affected genres like trap and dubstep as well. The tempo and bass emphasis has unmistakably been channeled over to dance music.
DJ Screw - Sailin' The South
The south may be on 10 now, but there was a time where southerners had to really make a statement to be taken seriously. DJ Screw made it possible for tons of other rappers to come up, whether they're from Texas, the greater South, or just constantly channeling that sound.
Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy (Chopped & Screwed by DJ Screw)
Nowadays, you can type any song title along with "chopped and screwed" and receive results (although most of them suck). Back in the day, if a DJ as prominent as Screw chopped your track, it was a little special. Check out our subject taking on another legend in Notorious B.I.G.
DJ Screw - Wanna Be A Baller
Texas, Texas, Texas. It doesn't get more Lone Star State than this.
UGK - Tell Me Something Good (Chopped & Screwed by DJ Screw)
A couple great samples in this one: "Moments in Love," "Summer Breeze." It sounds sort of chaotic, but it's blissful enough that you can meditate to it.
DJ Screw - I Got 5 On It (Freestyle) Feat. Lil' Keke, Big Pokey & Bird
Hosting freestyles was another thing that made DJ Screw so prominent in the Houston scene. Check out this fire cipher atop of the "I Got 5 On It" beat. Of course, slowed to perfection.
