Sabyn’s top five Houston rap classics

1. “Wanna Be a Baller,” Lil Troy:

My best friend, Cory, played this song for me when we were in the 10th grade. It just completely encapsulated the Southern hustlers anthem to me. The weed, the women, the cars, the wheeling, the dealing. It was just so raw and real and painted the most vivid picture, with the most effortless flow and swag. It was probably the first song I ever heard with subwoofers in the trunk. That is something you never forget.

2. “Still Tippin’,” Mike Jones, Slim Thug and Paul Wall:

Never in my life had I heard three rappers that sound different, with the same Southern drawl and equally as smooth brag, boast over such a hard and hypnotic beat. The video took it to a whole new level. The cars, the clothes, the jewelry, the icedout grillz, the championship belt. It was like I had been catapulted to another planet that was more magnificent than anything I could have imagined.

3. “Game Over,” Lil’ Flip:

The beat is what makes this song so great. I’d never heard a track with samples like that, and then you top it with Flip in his prime hitting you with all things H-Town.

4. “Draped Up,” Bun B:

This is when Bun was taking center stage as a solo artist. Like Biggie and Pac, this song just made me wanna get a grill, which I did, ice out everything and unquestionably embrace a place and lifestyle that I was completely enthralled with. It just made you not give a F, in the best sense of the phrase.

5. “Chunk Up a Deuce,” Lil’ Keke:

This track was just menacing, and with that screwed hook, it just had me from those first key notes. The delivery was so fierce, the way they flossed and repped their city. You couldn’t listen to this song and not wanna throw up your set. Whatever that may be.