Big Boss - Respect Due

Big Boss - Respect Due

Big Boss was a full time producer and a part time rapper from the notorious boulevards of Houston, TX. Considered by many to be a pioneer for the Hip Hop scene in Texas, Big Boss first started off with his cousin, Original E, in the group called, O.G. Style. Together, they released their highly desirable debut album in 1991, known as "I Know How To Play 'Em," on Rap-A-Lot Records. The two had some moderate success before deciding to part ways. Original E kept the O.G. Style name and recorded under that moniker while Big Boss formed the infamous group, 4 Deep with his brother Koo Rod and Klas' One. Respect Due is his debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Power Move Music. Production is solely handled by Big Boss himself, and he certainly does not disappoint. Known for providing some hard hitting bass lines and intoxicating hooks, he uses his classic approach and melodic methods to construct the rhythms. The beats are hard, edgy, groovy and funky, all at the same time. His production skills are deadly and they definitely show his veteran and accomplished status in the music industry. Big Boss raps on a few tracks but mostly, he lets his associates take full control of the microphone. Lyrically, the album is quite strong. The artists are used precisely on a given track and they certainly give it their all. Their rhymes compliment the production pattern well and the features don't seem out of place. Guest spots are courtesy of 4 Deep, The Funky Products, South Park Mexican, Da BBC, Lil Daddy, The Waterheadz, Popcycle, Taija and Pancho Villa of Lifestyl. The record signs off with a total of fourteen polished tracks with varying subjects. Overall, it's an impressive work of art by a renowned legend. Not enough can be said about his proficient prowess or his valuable importance in the underground scene from the South. Sadly, Big Boss passed away in 2006 due to kidney failure. He was working on the reunion album for his group, 4 Deep. Rest in peace, to one of the best that ever represented for Houston, Texas.

Deadly Verses

My Playaz ft. Da BBC

Sometimes I Wonder ft. Taija

Album Notes

* R.I.P to the masterful, Eric "O.G. Style" Woods.

* Original E, passed away two years later in 2008.

H.$.E - The Re-Score

H.$.E. - The Re-Score

H.$.E, which stands for Hustlaz $tackin' Endz, is a collective that hails from the southside of Houston, TX. The original group consisted of Hump, Lil' Flip, A.P. and Yung Redd. Also, Lil' Flip left the group after their initial release due to his own solo success and A.P. was later replaced with Lil' Ron. The group and all its' individual artists were also signed under Hump's own independent label known as, Sucka Free Records. Hump started the label in the late nineties and had a good run with H.$.E. and Lil' Flip as the label's core artists. The Re-Score is H.$.E.'s second release and it was put out in 2004 on Sucka Free Records. It's not an official album since it was just released to create a buzz for Yung Redd and Lil' Ron's upcoming album, "The Paper Route." Production on this record is invalid due to most, if not all, the beats are borrowed from other premier artists. The album is at a decent level lyrically. The songs are mostly freestyles with one or two real tracks sprinkled in between. Yung Redd and Lil' Ron are the only ones present with a slew of handsome guest features from Bun B, Paul Wall, Z-Ro, Trae, Twista, David Banner, Grit Boys, Big Shasta, Twisted Black, Yung Ro, A.B.N., Lil' Head and Yung Wun. The album closes out with a grand total of twenty tracks with only a handful of them being entertaining. As mentioned above, the release is in no way official in form or content. It was merely an underground release which was meant to supplement fans till the release of "The Paper Route." Hump just slapped the H.$.E. name on it in hopes of moving a few more units. Even though the release is obscure in nature, it just does not have anything alluring for the listener to look forward to.

Album Notes
* The record was also released with an alternative cover.