Texas Hip Hop Music: The New Sound of the Lone Star State
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Texas Hip Hop Music is the new sound of the Lone Star State. With a unique blend of influences, these artists are creating a new sound that is quickly gaining popularity.
The Birth of Texas Hip Hop
The hip hop music of the Lone Star State has its roots in Houston. In the early 1980s, DJ Premier and The Geto Boys put Houston on the map with their distinctive brand of gangsta rap. But it was not until the late 1990s and early 2000s that Texas hip hop truly came into its own. With the rise of Lil’ Flip, Chamillionaire, and Paul Wall, Texas hip hop began to make its mark on the national scene.
The influence of DJ Screw
Arguably the most important and influential figure in the history of Texas Hip Hop, DJ Screw popularized the “chopped and screwed” sound which has become synonymous with the genre. Born in Smithville, Texas in 1971, DJ Screw began spinning records at local parties and clubs in the late 80s before eventually releasing his own mixtapes out of his home studio. His unique style of slowing down tracks and adding repeated vocal samples created a whole new listening experience that was unlike anything else at the time.
While DJ Screw’s music was initially only popular in Houston, it eventually found its way to other parts of Texas and beyond, helping to spread the sound of chopped and screwed music to a wider audience. His untimely death in 2000 at the age of 29 shocked and devastated the Hip Hop community, but his legacy continues to live on through the many artists who have been influenced by his music.
The influence of the Geto Boys
In the late 1980s, a new style of hip hop began to emerge in Houston, Texas. Influenced by the hardcore rap coming out of New York City, groups like the Geto Boys brought a new level of intensity and violence to the genre. With lyrics that often dealt with dark subject matter such as crime, drugs, and gang violence, the Geto Boys helped to establish Houston as one of the most important centers for hip hop in the South.
The New Sound of Texas Hip Hop
The sound of Texas hip hop is evolving. No longer is it just about country music and hip hop. The new sound of Texas hip hop is a blend of the two genres that is unique to the Lone Star State. This new sound is being created by artists such as Travis Scott, Khalid, and Post Malone.
The influence of Travis Scott
Even if you’re not a rap fan, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Travis Scott. The Houston-born rapper has been making waves in the music industry for the past few years, and his unique sound has been credited with helping to shape the sound of modern hip hop.
Scott’s music is characterized by its Auto-Tuned vocals, heavy bass, and trap-influenced beats. His debut album, Rodeo, was released in 2015 to critical acclaim, and his follow-up album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, cemented his place as one of hip hop’s biggest stars.
While Scott is not the only rapper from Texas making waves in the hip hop world, he is undoubtedly one of the most influential. His unique sound has helped to shape the sound of modern hip hop, and he continues to be one of the genre’s most popular artists.
The influence of Megan Thee Stallion
In just a few short years, Megan Thee Stallion has become one of the most influential figures in hip hop. Where some artists are content to rap about gang violence and drugs, Megan Thee Stallion raps about something different: sex. And her frank, Explicit lyrics about her sexuality have made her a controversial figure in the hip hop world.
But love her or hate her, there’s no denying that Megan Thee Stallion is a force to be reckoned with. She’s been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, and her song “Body” was one of the most popular songs of 2020. With her unique style and fearless attitude, Megan Thee Stallion is helping to change the sound of Texas hip hop.
The Future of Texas Hip Hop
Texas Hip Hop is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down. With artists like Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and Megan Thee Stallion leading the charge, the new sound of the Lone Star State is taking over the music industry. Let’s take a look at the future of Texas Hip Hop.
The influence of Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X is having a moment. The 20-year-old rapper from Atlanta has taken the music world by storm with his breakout hit, “Old Town Road.” The song, which was originally released in December 2018, went viral on TikTok and has since topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record-breaking 19 weeks.
Lil Nas X’s success is a big deal for the hip hop community, but it’s especially significant for Texas hip hop. Therap scene in the Lone Star State has been bubbling under the radar for years, but it’s never had a mainstream moment like this.
Texas hip hop is its own unique subgenre, characterized by rapid-fire rapping, country influence, and often aggressive lyrics. It’s a sound that can be traced back to the early 2000s, when DJ screw popularized the “chopped and screwed” style of music in Houston. Since then, artists like Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ugly God have continued to push the sound forward.
Lil Nas X’s success is bringing much-needed mainstream attention to Texas hip hop. His success is also proving that there is an audience for this type of music outside of the South; “Old Town Road” has topped charts all over the world.
It remains to be seen what long-term impact Lil Nas X will have on Texas hip hop, but there’s no doubt that he’s giving the scene its biggest moment in the spotlight yet.
The influence of Cardi B
When it comes to the influence of Cardi B, it’s safe to say that she is one of the most important figures in the rap game right now. Not only is she a successful artist in her own right, but she is also helping to pave the way for a new generation of female rappers. Cardi B is from Houston, Texas, and her rise to stardom has been nothing short of incredible. She first gained attention as a result of her appearances on the reality television show “Love & Hip Hop: New York.” From there, she went on to release her debut album, “Invasion of Privacy,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. She is the first female rapper to achieve this feat.
Cardi B’s success has helped to shine a spotlight on the Texas hip hop scene. For too long, Texas has been unfairly overshadowed by other regions when it comes to rap music. But with artists like Cardi B leading the charge, that is starting to change. The Lone Star State has always had a rich hip hop history, and it is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves.
