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.
  

Big Snap - Leanin' Hard Down South

Big Snap - Leanin' Hard Down South

Charldrick Robinson, better known as Big Snap, is a rapper from the small but deadly city of Wharton, TX. Leanin' Hard Down South is his debut album and it was released in 1999 on Sum'n 2 Do Productions. The bulk of the production is handled by the masterful Jhiame, while Courtney Bryant and Irvin Cherry overlook the whole project. As always, Jhiame brings his veteran production pattern and does not disappoint musically. His approach is strictly southern and he laces each track with his distinct style of H-Town Funk. This results in a groovy, yet laid back environment and the listener has no choice but to oblige. Lyrically the album is also well rounded. Big Snap's flow is very unorthodox and his tone is quite rough. His delivery is full of pace and his southern drawl is ever present. The only minor drawback is that Big Snap is only good for about sixteen bars, anymore and he seems to become dull and repetitive. Out of the eighteen tracks recorded, there are only four which are presented by Big Snap himself, while the rest are all assisted by other guests. Featuring on the albums is C-Note of the Botany Boys, Lil' Keke, Slim Thug, Lil' Flip, Jhiame, Archie Lee, Jesso, Raw, Neil, Ms. Poo, Mickey and Patricia. The record is a little guest heavy but that is mainly due to the reason mentioned above. Overall its a decent release by the artist and it managed to get him some notoriety. Not only did he single handedly put the city of Wharton on notice but he also mangaged to represent for Houston as a whole. Sadly, Big Snap passed away on Febuary 23, 2008, at the Gulf Coast Medical Center. He was only 33 years old. Rest in peace to the best that ever did it for War Town Texas.

Deadly Verses
Rememberance Of Me ft. Raw & Patricia


Album Notes
* He also goes by the alias, Big Snapper.
* His cause of death is unknown.
* War Town is the nickname for the city of Wharton.

Herschelwood Hardheadz - A Million Dollar$ Later

Herschelwood Hardheadz - A Million Dollar$ Later

Herschelwood Hardheadz is a collective that represents from the notorious streets of Herschelwood in Houston, TX. The group was formed in the year 1993 by Lil' Keke and it consists of Archie Lee, Duke and Knocky. As a group they made various appearances on multiple Screw Tapes and even had some stints on Lil' Keke's solo albums. After creating a mild buzz in the southside of town and also developing a true fan base, the group finally decided it was time for an official release. A Million Dollar$ Later is their debut album and it was released in 1998 on Jam Down Records. The record is superbly produced by the likes of Sean "Solo" Jemison, Double D of Platinum Souls and Dantly "Prowler" Wyatt. The beats are an eclectic blend of rhythms that are so smooth, that head bobbing is the only option left for the listener. They can easily be summed up as that classic H-Town funk which also incorporates some elements of the Swang & Bang sound. The producers really out did themselves on this one and in return, gave the artists a very solid foundation to work upon. Lyrically the album is also well rounded. As always, Lil' Keke does not disappoint on the microphone and neither do his fellow group members. They take turns unleashing their various styles, both musically and methodically. While their rhymes may vary in pace, their jubilant word play and their flashy personas remain constant. Guest appearances are made by Fat Pat, B-Legit, Mobb Figgaz and Phaz. All in all this is a wonderful debut effort by the group and one that was definitely worth the wait. The group's success was short lived though, Lil' Keke left the group after this initial release and continued his solo route while the Herschelwood Hardheadz advanced as a trio. In the end, this record sits as a polished gem that not only shines but can also be a priceless commodity in one's collection.

Deadly Verses

CD's & LP's ft. Fat Pat