Showing posts with label Botany Boys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Botany Boys. Show all posts

Friday, November 11, 2016

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.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Will-Lean - The Chemist

William Gibbs better known as Will-Lean, is a rapper who represents from the notorious neighborhood of Cloverland in Houston, TX. He is a member of the Botany Boys as well as the legendary collective known as the Screwed Up Click. The Chemist is his debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Big Shot Records. The production varies from track to track and it is provided by M. King, Double D, Bruce Rhodes, Swift, Willy Malone, J.P. Nitty, Eric Hollis, Noke D, Tone Capone, Jhiame, Crazy C and D-Red of the Botany Boys. With a lineup this star studded, it is damn near impossible to disappoint. The beats can be classified under the certified grade-A, Texas funk category. The groovy rhythms are filled with such melody that head bobbing is the only option left for the listener. Will is no newcomer on the microphone. Whether it was his early freestyles on Screw Tapes or his fast paced verses with the Botany Boys, he has always been considered to be a very strong and formidable lyricist. His sharp yet distinct tone combined with the use of clever word play is the recipe for all his rhymes. To top it all off, he also manages to deliver them at a decently quick pace and it is this deadly combination that separates him from the rest. Since no S.U.C. album is complete without an all star guest list, this release is no exception. Will-Lean made sure he invited all his good friends to share a spot beside him in the recording booth. Guest appearances are made by DJ Screw, the Botany Boys, E.S.G., Lil' O, Al-D, Big Moe, Big Pokey, Dat Boy Grace, Hawk, Enjoli, Lil' Flip, T-Pop, A.C.T., Mista Madd, Papa Reu, Guerilla Maab, H.$.E., Noke D, D-Reck, Big T, Ronnie Spencer, B.G. Duke, Scoopastar, Taz, Lil' Real and last but not least the Big Tymers. All in all it is a valiant effort by the Cloverland native and one that boasts sixteen choice cuts. Although it is a little guest heavy and the release went out of print very quickly, the tracks are all still top quality. Will-Lean is still relevant today as he continues to release mix-tapes while selling most of the copies right out of the trunk section of his vehicle.

Deadly Verses

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

D-Red - Smokin' & Lean'n 2000

D-Red - Smokin' & Lean'n 2000
D-Red is a multi talented artist from the neighborhood of Cloverland located on the south side of Houston, TX. He is known throughout the southern region for his superb production skills as well as his provability on the microphone. D-Red began his career in the mid nineties with the collective known as the "Botany Boys." After a lengthy stint with them, the group disbanded over incarcerations of members D-E-Z & Lil' 3rd as well as the untimely death of B.G. Gator. The remaining members decided to branch off towards solo projects. This is Red's debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Big Shot Records. Production is handled by D-Red himself and he is assisted by Jhiame on one of the tracks. D-Red's approach for the tracks is a little different than his previous production pattern. He models the beats after the new millennium sound rather than the more accustomed hard, street sound. Somehow he still manges to deliver a good amount of quality tracks. Lyrics have also been somewhat minimized in the sense that they are just not strong enough. D-Red was a lot more vicious and lethal on the mic when he was with the Botany Boys. It seems here that he has either lost interest or that he is trying to change his style so that he can be more appealing to the mainstream. The sub par lyrics are also the reason why there is a guest appearance on each and every track. Now, there are some cuts that really stand out and shine. Guest appearances are made by the Botany Boys, Botany B.G.'z, Brew of Mass 187, Wood of the Half Dead Organization, South Park Mexican, Menace Clan, B-1 of the S.P.C., Se7en, Godfather, 2 Phace, T.P. Sin, Kirby-D, and 1 Da Boy. All in all it is a decent effort from the Cloverland native but it tends to fall short of anything more than just that. D-Red is also a member of the Screwed Up Click as well as the Clover Geez.

Deadly Verses

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

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."

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Lil' 3rd - King Of Cloverland

Lil' 3rd - King Of Cloverland
Lil' 3rd is a rapper from Houston, TX. He represents from the notorious neighborhood of Cloverland, located on the southside of town. He was a member of the Botany Boys as well as the original Screwed Up Click. This is his second solo record and it was released in 2004 on Off Da Chain Entertainment. Production is handled by Hardhead Shawn. He puts the keyboard to good use and quickly laces the album with tight beats. Some of them are borrowed from other artists but most of them are original. 3rd has always been a stand out lyricist. Ever since his early days with the Botany B.G.'z, he has been coming hard with his flow. His rhymes are very versatile which in turn gives him the ability to easily check the mic. Featuring artists are Head of the Botany Boys, Trae, Jo Jo, Black Boy, Heard, Jimmy D, T.I. and the Pimp Squad Clique (P.S.C.). Overall its a very solid release and one that somehow went unnoticed. The record also contains various disses towards fellow Cloverland rapper, Lil' Flip. The feud between the two rappers started when Lil' Flip entitled his album "The Leprechaun." At the time of Flip's album release, Lil' 3rd was incarcerated. References have been made by 3rd in his prior recordings, proposing to be the leprechaun. The feud still exists today and Lil' 3rd claims to be the original leprechaun. He has also recently acquired a new alias as Young 3rd.

Deadly Verses
Keep Talking ft. T.I.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

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.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Botany Boys - Thought Of Many Ways

Botany Boys - Thought Of Many Ways
Botany Boys is a group from Cloverland, a neighborhood located on the southside of Houston, TX. The group first started in 1996 when they released their debut LP, Smokin 'N Leanin. The members are C-Note, D-Red, Will Lean, Head, D-E-Z, Pap Pap and the Botany B.G.'s which consists of Lil' 3rd and B.G. Gator. Their sophomore record, Thought Of Many Ways is a 2-Disc album which was released in 1997 on Big Shot Records. D-Red is the man behind all the production and he did an excellent job on this one. The Beats are hard hitting and are filled with woozy and whiny synths. Each member has a distinct flow and their lyrics vary on both discs. Disc 1 is more laid back with smooth flows while Disc 2 is more gangsta and contains that southern harsh reality. Features are courtesy of Bun B of UGK, D of Trinity Garden Cartel, Big Moe, Lil' Keke, Ronnie Spencer, Quanell X, Angie, Vic, and the legendary DJ Screw. The group released their final ablum "Botany Forever" in 2000 and eventually broke up. Members D-E-Z and Head got incarcerated and another member lost his life. Rest in peace B.G. Gator. Members C-Note, Will Lean and D-Red pursued a solo route. This group was also part of the Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.). Thought Of Many Ways will always remain a H-Town classic. The Botany Boys held their ground and put the neighborhood of Cloverland on the map.

Deadly Verses



Deadly Video