Houston, We Have A Problem...

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Every major artist that represents their city to the utmost has always given their all to claim the nation’s attention to them, gaining the spotlight to all the hype coming out of that city. Artists’ would absorb that hype, whether brief or lengthy, keep holding on to that grip they have on the general public’s choice of music and release hit upon hit until all eyes and ears are on that city for the next potential and anticipated major hit. Between Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Houston, Atlanta, and Miami, these major cities have made an imprint in the rap game and all the artists reigning from each of these cities are considered major household names as of today. However, a single Southern city has recently fallen out of that limelight and people are no longer focused on them. Question now is: What happened? 

In 2005, Mike Jones opened a new chapter for the Houston rap game when he released Still Tippin’ and basically re-introduced America to the Texas rap game. Slim Thug and Paul Wall spawned from that same hit and it recognized the both of them into the industry as major artists. It opened up a new barrier in the Hip-Hop giving more representation and creditability to Houston and its unnoticed rappers. Mike Jones' album “Who is Mike Jones?” began to spawn more hits and opened a gateway for other Houston rappers to jump into the rap game. Paul Wall and Chamillionaire made a presence of their own and created their own individual fan base. Both rappers went on to spawn their own individual hits and set a balance amongst Texas Hip Hop music. UGK, which consists of Bun B and Pimp C, will always be considered legends and major icons of the rap game, also reign from Texas. 

Fast Forward to 2007, Mike Jones sophomore album, The American Dream, has not been able to find the right first single and has been pushed back numerous times since its original release date. His second attempt at trying to reclaim the ears of the nation to his city, summoning a repeat of 2005, has gone without notice. What’s going on in Houston? Where has all the hype gone? It’s definitely apparent that their reign in the rap game has become ghost. Have people forgotten about Houston and their music or have they gotten tired of the same gimmick repetitive from 2005? Whatever the situation may be, Houston hasn’t spawned major radio hits in a while now and the dedicated attempts don’t hold on to a huge buzz for very long. 

I’m not quite sure why Houston fell off, but with the talented artists that city possesses; it shouldn’t be too hard for them to jump right back into the game.