Slim Thug and Chamillionaire also gained fame with the Swishahouse label but have gone on to form their own labels (Boss Hogg Outlawz and Chamillitary, respectively), however the former has maintaned affiliations with Swishahouse as a crew.
Swishahouse started in the late 1990s in north Houston as a response to the popularity of screwed and chopped music from Houston's south side. () Hip-hop fans on the north side wanted to hear their local artists on slowed-down releases. Swishahouse began distributing popular mixtape series such as The Day Hell Broke Loose and F-Action (which featured chopped and screwed versions of R&B songs). The huge independent sales of their mixtapes led them to create the motto "Major Without A Major Deal". Due to the volatile Northside/Southside Houston beef, many Northside fans of screw music couldn't listen to Chopped & Screwed.
Thanks to the success of "Still Tippin" (a song that was originally featured on The Day Hell Broke Loose 2), Swishahouse was able to sign a deal with Asylum Records to gain national distribution. In addition to chopping and screwing Swishahouse's releases, Michael Watts has recently been commissioned to screw and chop several southern rap albums such as the Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz' Crunk Juice, Slim Thug's Already Platinum, Dem Franchize Boyz's On Top Of Our Game, and Lil Wayne's Tha Carter II.
Mike Jones became the first Swishahouse artist to release a major label album with Who Is Mike Jones?, which was released in April 2005 and went on to sell over a million copies. Jones is planning a follow up album, tentatively titled The American Dream, which is slated for release on Valentine's Day 2007. Paul Wall's major label debut, The People's Champ, landed at the top of the Billboard charts at the time of its August release.
During late 2005, Mike Jones left Swishahouse, allegedly after a dispute over money with owner Michael Watts. Jones fired his Swishahouse manager T. Farris and is now managed by Rap-A-Lot Records. However, contracts dictate that Jones still owes albums to Swishahouse, and recently Jones got back on good terms with Swishahouse to distribute Ice Age.
The label is also in talks with anime giant & native Houston company ADV Films for an Anime Screwed & Chopped Megamix series.
Swishahouse released it's long anticipated compilation album The Day Hell Broke Loose 3 on October 17th, 2006. It is sold in stores in two different formats: The normal version, which has a red cover, and the Swishahouse Remix (Screwed & Chopped), which has an icy blue cover.
Im A Pimp
Swishahouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a pimp I walk wit a limp I step aside papa don't eat no shrimp I'm a baller little lane crawler larry line follwera raw hard girl I'm a pimp I walk wit a limp I step aside papa don't eat no shrimp I'm grinda that's why I'm a shina I left behind whinas to be a big tima
Verse1:
Here comes the houstin hustle man its time to get ya game on hit the block rolling hard and get my swing on pop the trunk proper lay I don't play I ride 24's lata on the day I'm amazing valley park on sataday night sippin on coke and sprit lookin for somtin tight I'm grown, blowin that smoke off in my dorm, bangin and lookin good I'm jamin I'm mike jones flo shmo I'm leanin up in my throat chokin and gettin blown while I hope man its fo sho come on and we killin da seen I'm a trow back gangsta an underground king
(Chorus times one)
verse2:
I'm growin like rogain took over ya whole name in seven months mike jones took over the whole game see all you niggas at home tryin to hate ya need to step up to da plate 'cause I ain't about ta beat ya ima bout ta leave ya
The lyrics to Swishahouse All-Stars' song "I'm a Pimp" exemplify the typical braggadocio and machismo of the hip hop genre. The chorus starts with the assertion, "I'm a pimp", which is repeated multiple times in a sort of anthem, with bravado and pride, while describing various aspects of the lifestyle embodied by the term "pimp". The phrase "walk wit a limp" is a euphemism for walking with confidence, swagger and some sort of "gait". "I step aside, papa don't eat no shrimp" implies a sense of snobbery around food and social class, with the pimp indicating that he will only associate with those who can match or exceed his level of sophistication. The remainder of the chorus, with its various descriptions of the pimp's exploits as a "baller little lane crawler larry line follwera raw hard girl" is similarly meant to evoke images of power, success, sexual prowess, and nonconformity.
Verse 1 adds to the description of the pimp's lifestyle and mentality by positioning him as someone who embodies the "houston hustle", a savvy individual who knows how to live on the edge and make his fortune in the urban jungle. The reference to "hitting the block rolling hard" suggests that the pimp is someone who enjoys being in control, with a sense of swag and style that he can flaunt while still maintaining his credibility in the streets. His choice of vehicle, with its "24's" wheels and other trappings, is a display of wealth and luxury that further distinguishes him from the "whinas" or other low-level hangers-on that he has left behind in his quest for success.
Verse 2, featuring Mike Jones, is focused more on the singer's skills as an artist and his takeover of the rap game. References to "Rogaine" and "taking over your whole name" indicate that he is a force to be reckoned with, someone who has achieved major success in a short amount of time. The fact that he is "blowin that smoke off in my dorm, bangin and lookin good" suggests that he is unconcerned with the norms of society and is instead focused on his own pleasures, even as he continues to innovate and dominate the scene. Finally, the verse concludes with a call to action for those who would seek to challenge his supremacy: either step up to the plate and compete, or be left behind in the dust.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a pimp I walk wit a limp
I am a pimp and I walk with a slight limp, the way I carry myself signifies my dominance and power.
I step aside papa don't eat no shrimp
I sidestep to avoid any conflict, and I don't eat any shrimp because that's a sign of weakness.
I'm a baller little lane crawler larry line follwera
I am a skilled basketball player, able to maneuver around defenders with ease, and Larry Bird is my idol and inspiration.
raw hard girl I'm a pimp
I am a tough and rugged person, and I am a pimp who controls and dominates women.
I'm grinda that's why I'm a shina
I work hard and hustle, and that's why I shine and stand out from others.
I left behind whinas to be a big tima
I abandoned my old ways of associating with loose women and focused on becoming a successful and influential person.
Here comes the houstin hustle man its time to get ya game on
I am a resident of Houston, and I am a hustler who is always ready to compete and succeed in life.
hit the block rolling hard and get my swing on
I go out and make moves in the streets with determination and confidence.
pop the trunk proper lay I don't play
I am well-prepared and equipped for any situation, and I don't mess around when it comes to my business.
I ride 24's lata on the day
I have fancy car rims, and I'm always out and about later in the day.
I'm amazing valley park on sataday night sippin on coke and sprit lookin for somtin tight
I am impressive and skilled, and I spend Saturday nights at the park drinking Coca-Cola and looking for beautiful women.
I'm grown, blowin that smoke off in my dorm, bangin and lookin good I'm jamin
I am a mature adult who blows smoke in my residence while listening to good music and feeling good.
I'm mike jones flo shmo I'm leanin up in my throat chokin and gettin blown while I hope man its fo sho
I am like famous rapper Mike Jones, and I am smoking and getting fellatio while hoping for the best.
come on and we killin da seen
My associates and I are dominating and succeeding in our field and surroundings.
I'm a trow back gangsta an underground king
I am a throwback gangster and a respected leader in the underground world.
I'm growin like rogain took over ya whole name in seven months
I am rapidly gaining success and fame, just like the hair growth product Rogaine.
mike jones took over the whole game
I, like Mike Jones, have taken over and dominate the field in which I operate.
see all you niggas at home tryin to hate ya need to step up to da plate
All of the individuals who talk negatively about me from the comfort of their home should instead try to compete against me in the real world.
'cause I ain't about ta beat ya ima bout ta leave ya
I am not interested in physically harming anyone, but I will surpass and succeed over them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind