Dose 11...Southern Rap

Enough already with all this east coast/west coast bullshit!!!!! Everyone knows the best hip hop comes from the Dirrrty South. First emerging as a reaction to bifurcated nature of the 90's hip hop scene, southern rap carved out its own niche as unique brand of rap. Although this genre was originally typified by gangster content and contemplation of the troubles of southern life, of late this classification has come to denote the rubbish that Lil John and his crunkified colleagues pass off as "music". Still, there are the gems of the 90's which stand out as perhaps the pinnacle of a by gone era in hip hop history.

1)One Day by UGK feat. 3-2

The 10+ year collaborated effort of Pimp C and Bun B as UGK began in the heart of Texas' rap scene. After the release of their second album, Too Hard To Swallow (1992), the two began to build a solid following. Four years later, UGK put out their critically acclaimed Ridin' Dirty (1996), which quickly set the standard for southern rap. Expounding on an eclectic assortment of topics, the duo proved that the southern sound didn't need to be dominated by materiality. Though they have most recently become recognizable for their work with Outkast on their 2007 hit "International Player's Anthem", it's obvious that Ridin' Dirty stands in a league of its own.

I think I'll let this song speak for itself...

Here

2)Mind Playin Trick '94 by Scarface

In 1994 Mr. Scarface pulled off a feat, attainable only by the elite of the hip hop community. Upon the release of his album, The Diary (1994), the once Geto Boy was given the ratings of 5 mics and XXL. Mind you this was before The Source became the most arbitrary and least reliable appraiser of music that exists (besides me). The reason for these plaudits was the contemplative gangster lyricism delivered through Face's smooth drawl. Listen to this entire album and it will change your understanding of southern hip hop!

Unlike the Geto Boys version of this track released on We Can't Be Stopped (1991), Face's solo track focuses primarily on the psychological baggage that street life of can bring on. Three years older, and perhaps three years wiser, Face can now deliberate on failed love, hypocrisy within the community, and the daily violence that he witnesses.

Here