T-Pop Da I-10 Juggla - Makin' Moves

T-Pop Da I-10 Juggla - Makin' Moves

Joshua Thibodeaux, better known as T-Pop, is a rapper from the infamous city of Lafayette in Louisiana. He has also held residence in the notorious southside of Houston, TX. His nickname, "Da I-10 Juggla," is derived from the two cities connecting to each other through the renowned highway system known as, Interstate 10. Makin' Moves is his debut album and it was released in 2001 on Laf-Tex South Records, a sub-label under the parent, Laftex Records. Production on this piece is mainly handled by the magnificent, DJ Dolby D while Mr. Phat and T-Pop also chip in on a few cuts. The beats are strictly southern in demeanor and since Dolby D blesses the tracks with his brilliant creativity, the rhythms become that much more entertaining. Although they carry an upbeat pattern and are quite contemporary in composure, they are still very appealing to the ears. Lyrically, T-Pop is exceptional on the microphone. His laid back tone and raw southern dialect go hand in hand. His rhymes are delivered at a good pace and are dripping with fluent word play. While his level of energy and enthusiasm never drops, there are times when he becomes just a little repetitive. Not to worry though, an excellent star studded guest list is there to back him up when times tend to get bad. Featuring on the record is, Trae, Botany Boys, 3-2, I.B.G., Lil' Flex, Den Den, Mike D, Big Pokey, Wood, Deadend B.G.'s, D-Gotti, C-Nile, Big Tantrum, Black, Young Mafios, Pedoro, Toemas, Dwayne Parker and Bryson Bernard. All in all this is a very solid release, especially when considering the fact that it is a debut album. Not only did Da I-10 Juggla present himself with validity and clarity, he also managed to assert himself onto the Southern Rap scene. In the end, this work of art remains as a hidden gem and has the tendency to shine from each and every angle.

Deadly Verses

Ain't No Stopping ft. Black, C-Nile, Deadend B.G.'s, Pedoro & Big Tantrum

Album Notes

* T-Pop is also affiliated with the legendary Screwed Up Click.

Staydown - N-Da-Game

Staydown - N-Da-Game

Staydown is a collective that represents from the harsh streets of Waco, TX. The group consists of Slugger, Bugga, Bigg Knocc and Country. The group was formed in the late nineties by Slugger and Bigg Knocc. N-Da-Game is their debut album and it was released in 2000 on Staydown Entertainment. The album was recorded mainly in Houston due to plethora of studios that the city has to offer compared to Waco. The record is masterly produced by the platinum producer, Slugger. The beats are a perfect example of that Texas funk. They contain solid bass lines which are blended with some hard hitting drums. The rhythms are also genuinely crafted and they certainly cater to the Swang & Bang crowd. Slugger gives a lot of attention to detail which in return makes the overall result very crisp and enjoyable. The album also shines in the lyrical department. The members take turns discharging their various styles upon the microphone. Bigg Knocc seems to standout the most but the rest are not too far behind. Their deliveries are full of pace and the variations to their tone and pitch are all done with perfection. Their southern drawl is also quite eminent, while their demeanor and personalities embodies the streets. Guest appearances are made by Ice Lord, 3-2, C-Note, Big Pokey, Lil' O, Billy Cook and Lil' Flip. It may seem as if the album is a little guest heavy due to the star studded guest list but that is not the case at all. The guests are used sporadically and the group relies more on their own intuition. The album closes out with an impressive total of fifteen tracks, with each cut outdoing the other. All in all, this was a remarkable effort by the group but one that seem to have went unnoticed. It is truly a task for artists to represent from the smaller cities in Texas, mainly because of the lack of exposure they will receive. Staydown knew of this dilemma and changed their approach accordingly. They could have just easily recorded at a local studio in Waco, instead they drove back and forth to Houston and recorded at one of the more famous spots. Not only did this move help to establish connections in the city but it also augmented their reputation. They group went on to release a follow up album in 2005 and then disbanded. At the end of the day, this release will always sit as a polished gem, waiting to be discovered from The Heart of Texas.

Deadly Verses

Hard Life

Album Notes
* The group is also known as the Staydown Clique.

* Slugger would retire from the Rap industry in 2006.

* He would change his alias to Minister Slugger and would then become a Christian Rap artist.

* He is also a Minister at a local church in Waco, Texas.  

* "The Heart of Texas" is the nickname for the city of Waco.

Southside Pentagon - Money Over Everything

Southside Pentagon - Money Over Everything

Southside Pentagon is a collective that represents from the hard hitting streets of Houston, TX. The members are D-Gotti, E.L., Craig C, Lil Jay, W.B., Tito, Vandalizm, Trip, Black, Big Tiger and Ban. The group was started by D-Gotti of the Wreckshop and E.L. of Deep South Syndicate as a side project but it quickly evolved into something bigger. Their goal was just to reach the masses on the southside of town but with E.L.'s connections in Louisiana, it helped this release surpass their modest expectations. Money Over Everything is their debut album and it was released in 2001 on M.O.E. Inc. The bulk of the production is handled by the veteran, J Slash of .380 while Noke D, Trip and Mack chip in on some tracks. The beats are a quality blend of the new era sound and since this is a post 2000 release, that was somewhat expected. That being said, it still should not discourage the listener because overall the rhythms are quite unique and while some are sample assisted, the rest carry a genuine feel. Lyrically the album is respectable as well. E.L., D-Gotti and Craig C are the stand outs of course but the rest of the group is not too far behind. Their rhymes carry a good amount of word play and are also delivered with precision. Since this is a large collective, chemistry issues were bound to arise but the founding members made sure to keep those at bay and only made combinations on tracks that easily work. Now, no H-Town record is complete without a star studded guest list and this release is no exception to that rule. Guest appearances are made by Fat Pat, Lil' Keke, Lil' O, Mike D, E.S.G., Hawk, 3-2, Slim Thug, J Slash of .380, Chris Ward, Southside Playaz, Ronnie Spencer, Lady 14, Chad, June, Roxan and Peaches. This can be considered a little guest heavy but with eighteen solid tracks to boast, the features are quite spread out. All in all, a commendable release by the group and also one that appeals from all angles. Plus, with Texas & Louisiana connecting, it makes this release a bit more special and that much harder to deny.

Deadly Verses
Dead Man Walkin


Album Notes
* Rest in peace to Mr. Fat Pat and his brother, Big Hawk.
* Track 9: Chop'em is a pretty lethal diss towards Lil' Flip by E.S.G.
* Also the spine of the album states this release as a Volume One.

Bumbino - The Story Of A Young Socrates

Bumbino - The Story Of A Young Socrates

Bumbino also known as Mr. Bumbino, is a rapper from the notorious neighborhood of Kashmere Gardens in Houston, TX. He started rapping at an early age, beat boxing and freestyling through the local schools and parks. He soon created a name for himself and also earned a substantial amount of reputation by his peers. He eventually came across the eyes and ears of Timothy Lloyd, who was in midst of putting together his new record label with his partner Gary "G-Money" Hamilton. The two agreed that Bumbino was a special talent and needed to be quickly signed to their up and coming label. The Story Of A Young Socrates is his debut album and it was released in 1999 on A.C.T. Right Records. Production was handled by Harvey Luv, E-Rock, Dre, Mark, Slack and Eric. The beats come across as very clean and crisp. Although they do tend to carry an uptempo feel and a contemporary sound, their southern flavor is still quite eminent. Lyrically, the album is at an above average level. Bumbino's delivery and word play is pretty good but it can get a little repetitive. It seems as if he is only good for one verse in a song and if allowed anymore, then the level of energy and intensity fades. Now there are some tracks that really shine but that can be mostly credited towards the all star lineup of featuring guests. The guest appearances are courtesy of 3-2, South Park Mexican, R.W.O., Big T, E-Rock of the 5th Ward Boyz, Trey Dogg, Neutral Troopz, Handyman and Lynn & Da Congregation. The record closes out with a total of twelve tracks including the intro and outro. All in all it is a decent effort by the Houston native even with the minor lyrical shortcomings. Keep in mind that Bumbino was only seventeen at the time of this recording and still enrolled in his third year at Kashmere High School. For him to release this debut album at such a young age and have the backing of some of H-Town's finest says a lot. Also, the Janus Masks in the background of the album cover happens to be the logo for A.C.T. Right Records and the acronym A.C.T. is actually the names of the daughters of Timothy Lloyd, Alexis, Ciara and Tiara.

Deadly Verses

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Lil' Sin - My Secret

Lil' Sin - My Secret

Ronald Warner Jr., better known as Lil' Sin is a rapper who represents from the eastside of San Antonio, TX. He has been around since the mid nineties and is also very well respected throughout the southern region. Sin first started off with his fellow "Sa Town" rapper, C-Ordell. They were signed to BLVD Records and both took the city by surprise with their excellent debut efforts. My Secret is his third album and it was released in 2000 on Unstoppable Records. The production is split between the trio of Micheal Terry, James Sproul and Jac. The beats can be described as a contemporary mix that emulates southern funk. Some of the melodies are light, while others are somewhat uptempo. They are a perfect blend of the old that is congenially mixed with the new. Lil' Sin is a pretty accomplished lyricist. His unorthodox flow pattern as well as his choice of distinct word play is brought feircely upon the microphone. His unique style is his weapon of choice and although four long years have passed since his debut, he still doesn't seem to miss a beat. Guest features are made by UGK, Ganksta NIP, Lil' Keke, Nino, Kottonmouth, Billy Cook, 3-2, Mr. Joshay, Jamie, King 13, Emanuel, MT, Uncle Roger and S.F.K. Overall the album has its fair share of ups and downs but it still does not disappoint. It is one of those many releases that despite great content, always somehow go unnoticed. Lil' Sin went on to release a few more records before switching his alias to Young Namar.

Deadly Verses

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Fat Texas Records - Texas Made

Fat Texas Records - Texas Made

Texas Made is a compilation disc that was released in 2000 by Fat Texas Records who are primarily based out of Dallas, TX. Michael Lopez is the CEO of the label and Michael Cardenas is his right hand man. This is their second release. The first one being "Family Tactics." Since this is a compilation, a gang of producers were used to make this project noteworthy. The beats are courtesy of Icey Hott of Street Military, KG, Avery Jones, Rebel, and Crank. The producers do a good job by providing that Texas style funk fused with that hard underground sound. A few tracks can be tossed out but for the most part all of them equally jam. Lyrics are done by K.B. Da Kidnappa & Icey Hott of Street Military, 3-2, Big Tee, Lil' Sen, Rebel, Tony Montana, Keys, J-Duce, Villian, Relentless Mafia, Miss Asia, and Carla McQueen. The pack of rappers listed above make sure they keep the lyrics very roguish. They team up with each other and start to pass the mic around. A good chunk of the track list really stands out while there are a few fillers. Also, all the tracks on this album have never been on any other album. Meaning tracks were precisely recorded just for this compilation so the material is at least genuinely fresh and not out dated. Overall it is a reputable effort but one that somehow went unnoticed. Fat Texas Records are defunct now but they will always be remembered and respected in the underground.

Deadly Verses
Texas Made

Al-D - 4 Da Green

Al-D - 4 Da Green
Al-D is a rapper from Houston, TX. He is also regarded as one of the original members of the Screwed Up Click. This was the first album released by a member of the S.U.C. since the passing of Screw. It was released in 2001 on Reliant Entertainment. Production on the album is done by Double D of Wreckshop, Muhammad 2G, Blue Note and Chris Cooley. The beats can be easily described as top notch Texas funk. They contain some melodic hooks along with jamming synths and solid bass lines. Al-D's flow is unique in every aspect. He's been spitting hard since the mid 90's and he continued his assault on the mic on this album. Featuring artists are K-Rino of the South Park Coalition, Z-Ro, Trae, Botany Boys, Lil' Keke, 3-2, Yungstar, Mike D, Shorty Mac, South Park Mexican, Ronnie Spencer and Enjolie. The record also contains a seven minute tribute track to the late, great DJ Screw. All in all the album accumulates material that can be considered gratifying and it also earned Al-D the title, "The Lion Of The Screwed Up Click."

3-2 - The Wicked Buddah Baby

3-2 - The Wicked Buddah Baby

3-2 or Mr. 3-2, is a rapper from the neighborhood of Hiram Clarke in Houston, TX. He was also known as Lord 3-2 in the early 90's. He was a member of the group called the Convicts, the Blac Monks and the Southside Playaz. This is his debut solo album and it was released in 1996 on Rap-A-Lot Records. The team behind the production are none other than the highly skilled and legendary producers known as Mike Dean, John Bido, N.O. Joe, Crazy C and Swift. They dropped some of the most funkiest and mellowest beats ever to grace a record. While 3-2 is known for his smooth vocal delivery and laid back flow. The combination of beats and lyrics set the album up perfectly. It holds the ability to ride and play itself out. Featuring on the record is UGK, Too $hort, Southside Playaz, Sonia Moore, 8-Ball and MJG. The album also contains an excellent remix of the Blac Monk track known as "Buddah Nature." Overall the record sustains great material along with an all-star appearance of guests and it is considered to be in the classic category.

Deadly Verses
Buddah Nature (Remix)

Southside Playaz - You Gottus Fuxxed Up

Southside Playaz - You Gottus Fuxxed Up
Southside Playaz is a group from Houston, TX. The original group consisted of Fat Pat, Mike D, and Mr. 3-2. Since Fat Pat passed away in 1998, he was replaced with Clay-Doe. This is their debut album and it was released in 1998 on Laftex Records. Production is done with quality by Big Swift, Eric Hollis and Slack. The beats are smooth and are laced with that Texas funk. Lyrics are dope as well. All three members check the mic often. Their different styles fuse and blend together very nicely. Guest appearances are by K.B. Da Kidnappa & Lil' Flea of Street Military, C-Loc, Papa Reu, 6-4, Ronnie Spencer, Big Steve and the Screwed Up Click which includes the likes of Lil' Keke, Fat Pat, Hawk, Big Moe, Al-D, Dat Boy Grace, Big Pokey, T-Pop, Botany Boys, Lil' O and E.S.G. This record remains as a highlight of the Screwed Up Click and one that can not be forgotten. Southside Playaz went on to release their next album, "Street Game" in 2000.

Point Blank - Prone To Bad Dreams

Point Blank - Prone To Bad Dreams

Point Blank is originally a rapper from Chicago, IL but later moved to Houston, TX in 1990 and eventually joined the South Park Coalition (S.P.C.). Since then he has been one of the hardest rappers in the click. He is known for his raw and uncut delivery. He is also the founder of the group Wreckless Klan. This was his debut album and it was released in 1992 on Bigtyme Recordz. Production on this dope album was done by Point Blank himself along with Pimp C of UGK, K-Rino, Triple 6 and Egypt E. Featuring on the album is UGK, .38, Klondike Kat, Ganksta NIP, 3-2, The Terrorists and K.O. Blank is a very good artist and has dropped some albums that are considered classics in the South but he has never received any recognition or fame. He is considered by many to be the underground's best kept secret.

DMG - Rigormortiz

DMG - Rigormortiz

DMG stands for Detrimental Ganxta. He is originally a rapper from St. Paul, MN but later relocated to Houston, TX. He would then meet rapper Scarface and would eventually get him to listen to one of his demo tapes. Face was immediately impressed by DMG's unique style and harsh delivery. He then persuaded James Smith to quickly sign him to Rap-A-Lot Records. DMG was also in the group called Facemob. Rigormortiz is his debut album and was released in 1993 on Rap-A-Lot. Production on this classic was done by N.O. Joe, Mike Dean, Bido 1, Big Chief and Scarface. The beats got that hard and heavy bass mixed with woozy synths along with some funky samples. They really don't get any better than this. Lyrically, DMG sounds a little like Scarface but more high pitched. He cleverly executes rough street rhymes with a lot of word play. His rough delivery and aggressive tone go hand in hand. Featuring on the album is 2 Low, 3-2, 5th Ward Boyz, Coz, Big Mike, Scarface and Bushwick Bill of the Geto Boys. This album is praised as one of the best gangster rap albums of its time and has been long out of print.

Deadly Verses

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Deadly Verses