Slim Thug
Already Platinum (Geffen)
Rapid Ric & Mr. Rogers
Afta da Relays (Mixtape Mechanic)
Suav
Hate Me From a Distance (For the Crown)
Deuce Almighty
In Deuce We Trust (C3)
Buddy Leroy
Pimp Stroll (Mumbo Jumbo)
DeLoach
The Life and Times of Wally DeLuxe (Black Son)
With “diamonds pressing up against the wood grain wheel,” Houston’s latest rap sensation Slim Thug drives beyond all expectations with an album loaded with icy upgrades. Previous Neptunes-produced hits “Like a Boss” and “I Ain’t Heard of That” cruise comfortably amongst a convoy of clap-hop swangers including “Boyz n Blue” and “Playa You Don’t Know.” Already Platinum, no doubt. Teaming with Mr. Rogers of the Boss Hogg Outlawz, Austin’s DJ Rapid Ric navigates the Afta da Relays mix with the insight of a true Texas visionary. Piling Magno, Maceo, and Gritboys into the back seat of a Caddy commandeered by Bun B, Slab, and Trae makes for a road trip well worth the expensive gasolina. Meandering along the back roads of Lone Star bounce, Austin’s Suav fuels Hate Me From a Distance with the sweat of “the finest girl in the 512.” Meanwhile, Hot 93.3 radio personality and Word Association MC Deuce Deuce moonlights as a “mixtape mechanic” of his own devices by way of In Deuce We Trust. Showcasing instant classics “In Austin” by Basswood Lane and “Nobody Leavin” by Bavu Blakes, the wealth of local talent assembled astounds in all areas. From the old school gangsta flow of Sindrome to the sophisticated R&B of Ter’ell Shahid, Deuce taps into an oft-overlooked pipeline of potential. Channeling a dose of Bad Mutha Goose-era ATX funk for his Mumbo Jumbo single “Pimp Stroll,” Buddy Leroy implores bystanders to “catch me riding on an elephant, Hannibal steez.” Hop aboard. Leaning heavily on production by Symbolyc One of Strange Fruit Project, The Life and Times of Wally DeLuxe excels where other so-called “kufi rap” loses itself in its own vanity. Dwelling in Monroe, La., DeLoach presents an album in the sensuous tradition of Pete Rock that’s every bit as intriguing as last year’s Okayplayer darling, Foreign Exchange’s Connected. Locals will recognize contributions from Waco’s Strange Fruit Project and Austin’s Bavu Blakes, who contributes a guest verse to DeLoach’s “Labor of Love.”
(Slim Thug) 
(Rapid Ric & Mr. Rogers) 
(Suav)
(Deuce Almighty; Buddy Leroy)
(DeLoach)
This article appears in July 29 • 2005.