H.$.E - The Re-Score

H.$.E. - The Re-Score

H.$.E, which stands for Hustlaz $tackin' Endz, is a collective that hails from the southside of Houston, TX. The original group consisted of Hump, Lil' Flip, A.P. and Yung Redd. Also, Lil' Flip left the group after their initial release due to his own solo success and A.P. was later replaced with Lil' Ron. The group and all its' individual artists were also signed under Hump's own independent label known as, Sucka Free Records. Hump started the label in the late nineties and had a good run with H.$.E. and Lil' Flip as the label's core artists. The Re-Score is H.$.E.'s second release and it was put out in 2004 on Sucka Free Records. It's not an official album since it was just released to create a buzz for Yung Redd and Lil' Ron's upcoming album, "The Paper Route." Production on this record is invalid due to most, if not all, the beats are borrowed from other premier artists. The album is at a decent level lyrically. The songs are mostly freestyles with one or two real tracks sprinkled in between. Yung Redd and Lil' Ron are the only ones present with a slew of handsome guest features from Bun B, Paul Wall, Z-Ro, Trae, Twista, David Banner, Grit Boys, Big Shasta, Twisted Black, Yung Ro, A.B.N., Lil' Head and Yung Wun. The album closes out with a grand total of twenty tracks with only a handful of them being entertaining. As mentioned above, the release is in no way official in form or content. It was merely an underground release which was meant to supplement fans till the release of "The Paper Route." Hump just slapped the H.$.E. name on it in hopes of moving a few more units. Even though the release is obscure in nature, it just does not have anything alluring for the listener to look forward to.

Album Notes
* The record was also released with an alternative cover.

The Day After Hell Broke Loose

The Day After Hell Broke Loose

The Day After Hell Broke Loose is a compilation album which is presented by Bigg Tyme and Rap-A-Lot Records. It was constructed upon the success of "The Day Hell Broke Loose" series by Swishahouse Records. This album was released in the early part of 2004 on Rap-A-Lot Records. Veteran producers Bigg Tyme and Mike Dean are credited for providing the tunes. Together, they do an excellent job by creating a palette of rhythms that strictly cater to the fans of the Swang & Bang genre. The beats are mostly contemporary and upbeat in nature. The creators made sure that the blend stays electric and musically sound at all times. Lyrics tend to vary since this is a joint venture between two of the most prolific record labels from the South and their respective artists. One can only expect greatness when the likes of Scarface, Bun B, Devin The Dude and Z-Ro are fused with Lil' Flip, Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, J-Dawg, Magno, Lil' Ron, Lil' Mario and Dolla. The album closes out with a total of fourteen tracks and aside from a couple of them, their subject matter mostly lingers around materialistic values and financial gains. All in all it's a decent compilation and one that was released at the height of the H-Town takeover phenomenon. The two camps capitalized on the alluring situation at hand and put forth a genuine effort. The record beautifully withstands the test of time and should deserve a spot in any Southern Rap collection. 

Deadly Verses

Z-Ro (Remix) ft. Z-Ro

Archie Lee - Da Mista Masta

Archie Lee - Da Mista Masta

Archie Tatmon, better known as Archie Lee, is rapper from the Northside of Houston, TX. He is also one of the original members of the infamous, Swishahouse. The Swishahouse is a collective which was founded by Micheal Watts in the mid nineties to counteract all the fame and success the Screwed Up Click was receiving. He recruited rappers from the Northside and started releasing mix tapes with Slowed & Chopped freestyles of his own crew. The tapes caught the city like a wild fire, especially on the northern end. Some liked and even appreciated what Watts was doing, while others discredit his approach due to the fact that DJ Screw and his comrades were the originators of the Chopped & Screwed mix tapes. Although the latter is true and non debatable, it was after DJ Screw's unfortunate passing in 2000, when the Chopped & Screwed or Slowed & Chopped really caught on to the rest of the world. It was Micheal Watts along with O.G. Ron C, who led the charge and re-introduced the rest of the nation to this unorthodox technique. Da Mista Masta by Archie Lee is the very first solo debut of a Swishahouse artist and it was released in 2000 on Swishahouse Records and SwishaBlast Entertainment. The production is manged by Micheal Watts, G-Dash, Bigg Tyme, Micheal Wilder, Jesse Brown and Cedric Page. The beats are not ground breaking but they are passable. Although they contain various elements and have a solid foundation, they still seem very simple and sometimes even mundane. The rhythms mostly cater to the new style of Swang & Bang, which is understandable since this is a release from the new millennium. Lyrical content of the album is also tolerable. Archie Lee won't break any barriers lyrically and certainly won't set any new standards for the Southern region. His flow style is quite common and does not do anything for the listener. Also, his tone and pitch jumps around quite a bit which in turn makes him go off beat a lot. Now, that may be by design and not by some kind of internal flaw. Nevertheless, he still attacks the microphone with passion and flair. Guest appearances are made by Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Lester Roy, Big Tiger, J-Dawg, Lil' Mario, Big Pic, A.D., Sabwarfare, Lil' Ron, Blyndcyde, Bongo, Nancy Taylor and Reginald Hackett. A lengthy guest list is certainly what the main artist needed to give the record an extra boost. All in all, this is a decent effort by the Houston native and it helped the label get going in the right direction. It was after this release, when management realized what components were working and what was not. They started to cater more towards the newer generation of Southern Rap and really propelled themselves into the mainstreams. In the end, this record is a humble beginning which stands as a testament of their hard work and dedication to their art.

Deadly Verses
Can I Shine ft. Lil' Ron & Slim Thug


Album Notes
* Lester Roy designed the logo for Swishahouse Records.
* Slowed & Chopped albums by the Swishahouse have an alternative blue cover.