He was born in Bastrop, Texas to Robert Earl Davis, Sr. DJ Screw had lived in Smithville, Houston, and Los Angeles; at one point his father took him to Houston in order to keep him from trouble. There DJ Screw lived in a working class, mostly African American neighborhood near Hobby Airport described by Michael Hall of Texas Monthly as "hard-edged."DJ Screw dropped out of Sterling High School during his 10th grade year and focused on music.
He began deejaying at age 13, and started his trademark slowed down mixes in 1984. During the early 1990s, he invited some of Houston's most renowned rappers from the south side of the city to flow on his Screw tapes. This eventually led to the formation of the Screwed Up Click. What originally was only a fad of Houston, Chopped and Screwed music started getting more widespread attention with the introduction of p2p programs such as Napster in the late 90s. This ultimately led to DJ Screw getting recognition across the country and being known as one of biggest faces in modern hip-hop.
www.screwedupclick.com.
After spending most of the 1990s as an infamous local phenomenon in Houston, TX, DJ Screw suddenly found himself gaining sudden notoriety before his unfortunate death in late 2000. The Houston DJ made a name for himself primarily because of his uncanny mixing style, which found him pitching down his records to a lumbering and quite eerie pace. Over the course of the '90s, what began as novelty actually became a rather lucrative venture for Screw, who produced hundreds of mix tapes, with some estimates projecting his total number of tapes topping over a thousand; furthermore, he sold the tapes at his Houston-based record store, Screwed Up Records and Tapes. Oddly enough, he preferred to release his mixes almost exclusively on cassette, though fans often recorded the mixes and traded them via the Internet; in addition, countless "screwed" remixes of popular rap anthems were widely available on Napster thanks to his cultish following.
Yet it's hard to imagine Screw's legacy being what it is if not for his role as an adamant advocate of "syrup sippin'," a Southern rap phenomenon involving codeine-infused cough syrup -- the resulting intoxication induces a hallucinatory state where everything slows down and becomes the senses swirl. As marijuana was to early-'90s gangsta rap, LSD was to late-'60s psychedelic rock, ecstasy was to late-'80s rave -- and so on -- the syrup sippin' advocated by Screw's trippy hip-hop mixes led to a small drug movement within the late-'90s Dirty South genre, reaching its zenith with Three 6 Mafia's hit "Sippin' on Some Syrup" in 2000. It's hard to deny that this phenomenon wasn't as important to Screw's popularity as his music was (especially considering some of his tape titles: Syrup & Soda, Syrup Sippers, Sippin' Codeine, etc.) Still, Screw did serve as a leader for Houston's burgeoning rap scene; his home studio, The Screw Shop, functioned as the home base for what was loosely referred to as the Screwed Up Click, including semi-successful rappers such as Big Pokey and Lil' Keke, along with about 30 others were known locally.
Ironically, when Screw was found dead in his studio of a fatal heart attack at the tender age of 29 on the morning of November 16, 2000, the Houston Chronicle published a story stating that police suspected Screw of overdosing on the same syrup that he so adamantly advocated. Weeks later the theory proved valid, making the artist the victim of his own self-promoted phenomenon. More unfortunate, though, was the loss of Screw to Houston's fledging scene, which seemed on the verge of being nationally recognized as a Southern rap mecca. His legacy lived on, though, since his trademark mixing style was by no means exclusive, as countless imitators had arisen in the South by the time of his death, the most noteworthy being the Swisha House and Beltway 8 record labels.
- Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
the legend
DJ Screw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope y'all can hear me out there
Mic check to the world, huh
Broadcasting, 2000 and 1, still at Screw's house
Huh, he back on the table, but you just don't see him
You got to feel him, know what I'm talking bout
E.S.G. huh, the god, the legend what
Putting it down, my partna Slim Thug, huh
My partna the legend, uh, feel this feel this
[Hook: Lucky]
Here's a little story, from the Freestyle King
Just some Down South G's, forfilling they dreams
Gripping on pine, swanging through your town
It's that boy E.S.G., and you know he gon clown
[E.S.G.]
Hold up hold up, open up who's this
The one who made you say Maan, new year new shit
My twinkies twist Screwed Up Click, you can ask Pres. Bush
I'm the state representative, man take a look
Open your eyes up better wise up, now how you love that
I'm in Memphis fucking chickenheads, me and Project Pat
Paper stacks what we got, platinum ice up in my mouth
Hardest legend up out the South, E.S.G. gon spell it out
Now the S is for the Southside, which I claim
Now the C is for the way my partna, changed the game
Sipping bar now the R, for his first name
Which is Robert, Robert you know I felt your pain
Now the next letter E, I'ma hold it down for you
What's the last one fool, ahh shit W
That's for Screw too and Screw too, now I'm about to wreck
Left the world slowed down, and ain't caught up yet
[Hook: Lucky]
See the Slim Thug, boppers bopping
Hatas hate so they mug, pouring it up
And sipping drank out a jug, boss hogg
Keeping it crunk in the club, with that boy Mr. Luck'
[Slim Thug]
My freestyle is flawless, my lifestyle is flawless
Them Boss Hogg Outlaw boys, be the rawest
Much love to the legend, by the name of DJ Screw
I'm strutting on buttons, coming through candy blue
Paid dues broke the rules, putting it down with Big Tyme
Candy do's glass 4's, is how that H-Town shine
I'm on a million dolla grind, you can tell when you see me
All that balling that's on T.V., that's me in 3-D
20 inches off the ground, dropping 20 inch screens
When Slim Thug on the scene, you see seedy green that lean
I'm a show flow wrecker, I put my money on my mouth
It's the boss of the North, putting it down with the South
Looking good in a Fleetwood, I'm pulling bops in my drop
We keep straight through stop signs, and pop trunk on cops
Slim Thug, E.S.G., taking our respect
Northside Houston Tex, 'nuff said who's next ha
[Hook: Lucky]
Lil Baller, shot caller
Got Excursions, Durangos and Impalas
And all us, fin to do our thang
Ice on piece and chain, wrist and the pinky ring
[Lil Baller]
DJ Screw, this Lil Baller and I never met you mayn
But from them boys and to you mixing, can't forget you mayn
I came a long way, from playing Atari
Now I'm Jaguar and Rover, and a Gucci Ferrari
I'm back and I'm on the scene, and I got my mean mug
And I'm fin to do a track with E.S.G., and that boy Slim Thug
Now from the Northside, to the Southside
Everybody mouth drop, it's open wide
And now I'm talking bout, when y'all see me on your block
I see y'all dropping top, and I see the blades chop
And when y'all see me open the trunk, knock knock
And y'all gon see the way I do it, from the top top
And I'm fin to wreck it mayn, put it down with Big Tyme
Fin to do a big rhyme, then I get my big shine
And y'all boys, really ain't ready
Cause down here, we ch-chop like mechettis
[Hook: Lucky]
Grip wood grain, swang lane to lane
Pop my trunk, and let the 18's bang
Steady jamming Screw, till the end of time
Even though you gone, you still on my time
Yeaah-yeeah uh huh, uh huh
(*scratching*)
The song "The Legend" by DJ Screw is a tribute to the late DJ Screw, who revolutionized the hip-hop scene with his chopped and screwed technique. The song features verses from E.S.G., Slim Thug, and Lil Baller, all of whom pay homage to Screw's legacy. The lyrics of the song describe how Screw changed the game and how he continues to influence music even after his death.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for what's to come. The singer calls out to the world, saying he's broadcasting from Screw's house. He points out that Screw is back on the table (presumably referring to the DJ equipment), but people don't see him - they have to feel him. This is a testament to Screw's ability to transform music into an experience that transcends time and space.
The verses that follow describe the impact Screw had on his peers and the industry. E.S.G. raps about how he's holding it down for Screw and how his music has touched people's lives. Slim Thug talks about how he's putting Houston on the map, just like Screw did. Lil Baller, who never met Screw, still recognizes his contribution to hip-hop and expresses his admiration for him.
Overall, "The Legend" is a tribute to a man who transformed the world of hip-hop with his innovative and influential style. The song captures the energy and spirit of Screw's music and pays homage to his enduring legacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Hope y'all can hear me out there
DJ Screw is hoping that his listeners can hear his message.
Mic check to the world, huh Broadcasting, 2000 and 1, still at Screw's house Huh, he back on the table, but you just don't see him
DJ Screw is making a mic check and broadcasting from 2001 while also commenting on how he is back at his table, but people may not fully recognize his presence.
You got to feel him, know what I'm talking bout E.S.G. huh, the god, the legend what Putting it down, my partna Slim Thug, huh Lil Baller up in here, Lucky we bout to do this man My partna the legend, uh, feel this feel this
DJ Screw wants his listeners to connect with his music and introduces his fellow artists with admiration, particularly calling out E.S.G. as the god and legend of the movement.
Here's a little story, from the Freestyle King Just some Down South G's, forfilling they dreams Gripping on pine, swanging through your town It's that boy E.S.G., and you know he gon clown
Lucky introduces E.S.G. as a storyteller and rap king hosting fellow Down South Gs, going around looking for success and having a good time.
Hold up hold up, open up who's this The one who made you say Maan, new year new shit My twinkies twist Screwed Up Click, you can ask Pres. Bush I'm the state representative, man take a look Open your eyes up better wise up, now how you love that I'm in Memphis fucking chickenheads, me and Project Pat Paper stacks what we got, platinum ice up in my mouth Hardest legend up out the South, E.S.G. gon spell it out
E.S.G. calls attention to himself as an influential figure in rap with the ability to represent his state with pride, bringing his own style and humor. He talks about his status symbol jewelry and wealth before declaring himself as the hardest legend in the South.
My freestyle is flawless, my lifestyle is flawless Them Boss Hogg Outlaw boys, be the rawest Much love to the legend, by the name of DJ Screw I'm strutting on buttons, coming through candy blue Paid dues broke the rules, putting it down with Big Tyme Candy do's glass 4's, is how that H-Town shine I'm on a million dolla grind, you can tell when you see me All that balling that's on T.V., that's me in 3-D 20 inches off the ground, dropping 20 inch screens When Slim Thug on the scene, you see seedy green that lean I'm a show flow wrecker, I put my money on my mouth It's the boss of the North, putting it down with the South Looking good in a Fleetwood, I'm pulling bops in my drop We keep straight through stop signs, and pop trunk on cops Slim Thug, E.S.G., taking our respect Northside Houston Tex, 'nuff said who's next ha
Slim Thug boasts of his success as a rapper with a flawless freestyle and lifestyle, living by a rebellious Boss Hogg Outlaw creed. He honors DJ Screw as a legend and praises the flashy nature of Houston culture with cars and expensive accessories while driving recklessly and disrespecting law enforcement. Slim Thug represents the Northside of Houston with E.S.G., taking pride in their accomplishments and paving the way for others to follow.
DJ Screw, this Lil Baller and I never met you mayn But from them boys and to you mixing, can't forget you mayn I came a long way, from playing Atari Now I'm Jaguar and Rover, and a Gucci Ferrari I'm back and I'm on the scene, and I got my mean mug And I'm fin to do a track with E.S.G., and that boy Slim Thug Now from the Northside, to the Southside Everybody mouth drop, it's open wide And now I'm talking bout, when y'all see me on your block I see y'all dropping top, and I see the blades chop And when y'all see me open the trunk, knock knock And y'all gon see the way I do it, from the top top And I'm fin to wreck it mayn, put it down with Big Tyme Fin to do a big rhyme, then I get my big shine And y'all boys, really ain't ready Cause down here, we ch-chop like mechettis Grip wood grain, swang lane to lane Pop my trunk, and let the 18's bang Steady jamming Screw, till the end of time Even though you gone, you still on my time Yeaah-yeeah uh huh, uh huh (*scratching*)
Lil Baller pays tribute to DJ Screw despite never meeting him in person and mentions his journey from childhood video games to driving luxury cars. He's ready to collaborate with ESG and Slim Thug and start making hits that will turn heads. No matter which side of Houston he visits, people recognize him as a trap star. He enjoys driving around with music playing loudly and subwoofers booming while honoring DJ Screw's influence on his life.
Contributed by Amelia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.