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Robert Earl Davis aka DJ Screw
More than 1,000 albums owned and used by Robert Earl Davis, better known as DJ Screw, have been acquired by the University of Houston Libraries. Davis, who died in November 2000 at the age of 29 was a pioneering figure in hip-hop, a rare innovator in a genre susceptible to homogeneous production. By slowing down records Screw created a singular style in Southern hip-hop, a unique sound that carried his name as recordings were and continue to be “chopped and screwed.”
“Who would’ve guessed slowed down music of all damned things would become a national phenomenon?” said Michael “5000” Watts, a DJ, producer and co-founder of the Swishahouse label said earlier this year. “But there was always more to it than just slowing down a record. One thing that destroyed a lot of the Southern stuff is people looking at the bottom line. ‘What can I do to make a profit?’ They weren’t looking at it as art. . . . It’s very rare when a man goes out of the box to do something.
“I’m not gonna lie. I think I did my best work when Screw was alive. We were competitors, and things weren’t always smooth between us and them, but that made it more fun to have something or someone driving you to be better.”
Screw’s LPs, which were donated by his father Robert Earl Davis Sr. and the John and Rebecca Moores Endowed Library Fund, became the basis of his famed productions, which represented this region uniquely. The vinyl is currently being cataloged and will be available for research in 2013. Some of the recordings will be part of an exhibit called DJ Screw and the Rise of Houston Hip-Hop which opens March 19, 2012 at the M.D. Anderson Library. There will also be a conference about the city’s hip-hop culture on March 27-28, presented by the U of H Libraries, as well as the school’s African American Studies department and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the arts and the HERE Project at Rice University.
It reminded me of the slow blues songs by Lighting Hopkins and such artists...Congrats and RIP bro.
Excellent news. I think the lede should say "owned," not "owed," though. Nah'm saaaayn?
oh hey-o yes! One of my kids had a few of his tapes and we would jam those things and crack up. Really funny and original style that I'm sure was very appropriate for syrup drinkers.
I think DJ worked very hard to promote himself and my son bought his tapes from him directly at clubs and parties.
Shout out to JULIE GROB at the UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON for taking on this project. Go Coogs!!
I've been listening to Screw since the mid-90's and feel in love with originality and style well before I moved to Houston. It's not for every person, but the genre offered plenty of Houston rappers an avenue to hone their talents and eventually hit the mainstream, i.e. Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, etc.
I'm excited that universities are recognizing the achievements of Robert Davis and his impact on the industry and the community. R.I.P.
I've been listening to Screw since the mid-90's and feel in love with originality and style well before I moved to Houston. It's not for every person, but the genre offered plenty of Houston rappers an avenue to hone their talents and eventually hit the mainstream, i.e. Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, etc.
I'm excited that universities are recognizing the achievements of Robert Davis and his impact on the industry and the community. R.I.P.
It reminds you of lighting Hopkins, your kidding right ???
Wow .....
I think any music that is "screwed" sounds repulsive, and it seems the people who listen to thats are no good thugs.
Why UH is archiving it i have no idea, I have some dog pop they can archive as well.
Uhh ... why is Houston so ghetto ?
I love it. I'm glad to see a part of Southern culture being represented.
I love it. I'm glad to see Southern hip hop culture being represented. I always respect creativity.
I love it. Glad to see Southern hip hop culture being represented. I always respect creativity.
S.U.C. lives on.....Screwston Proud.
There obviously not a more fitting place for it...
I am very happy to see that all of DJ Screw's hard work was not in vain, and will be appreciated by all.
Already.
Maaaaaaaaann daaaassssss hoooooooooge ...
Tier 1... hahaha
Sounds like a proper place for this bit of musical history.
Ike, they said the same things about rock and roll, blues and jazz. Because the sound doesn't appeal to your country butt doesn't make it bad. It just means you have a closed mind and limited capacity to enjoy things outside your box.
What a lovely legacy he left… He is known for popularizing PURPLE DRANK which is ILLEGAL and kills many people - including DJ Screw.
do u also feel as strongly about Kurt Cobain and Jimmi Hendrix because they used drugs and died. there's more to their lives and legacies than that. Screw did popularize syrup but he also made damn good music, don't marginalize his life achievements to those negative points. he did after all pay with his life for messing with drank and his death has also been a deterrent for many including myself.
Still bumpin' screw ALL DAY EVERYDAY! RIP SCREW.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Screw. I will mourn ya till I join ya!
I bet that Michael “5000” Watts has a Megawatt smile.
Glad to see his work will be preserved for future generations. He really did put Houston on the map music wise, and by doing so, made southern rap and hip hop what it is today. Im already looking forward to seeing it in person. R.I.P. DJ Screw.