If Austin hip-hop once bubbled in a cauldron of Dirty South imagery, now it’s spilling over the sides with a newfound scalding intensity. Joining forces as a New Generation of Kings, Public Offenders and da 2-3 Mic Breakaz erupt on the protest tip as their collaborative All Black (NGOK Entertainment) marches across politically charged territory. “Walk With Me,” “I Refuse,” and “My People” induce a sense of community standing in resolute opposition to those attempting to trick and demean. Young Nick‘s essential WDRT Radio mix flirts with its label moniker, Dirty Politics, as its host rips classic rhyme schemes into conceptual origami. Adorning his striking wit and candor with further devious perspective, Young Nick recruits Mirage, Arson Optics, Kaizen, Pop, and Element7D to his critical beat down. Sporting Casino and Gutta Gang’s breakout hit “Gametime,” DJ LL‘s H.O.T. (Heart of Texas) (Da Woods Entertainment) bounces and dips for the club set tweaked to maximum capacity. Putting it out there with “Do the Damn Drugs,” Northeast Austin rappers including Sindrome, Fullythug, and King James dare partygoers to be honest with their vices. Still buzzing on his Whut It Dew 3 mix hosted by Trae, DJ Rapid Ric gives Houston’s Chalie Boy the keys to every hardcore Z-Ro-esque hooptie in the junkyard. Accompanied by the likes of Money Waters, Kiotti, and Basswood Lane, Chalie Boy: The Versatyle Child (Dirty 3rd) escorts country rap tunes into dank backwater counties not yet named. Spreading their Texas twangs across vinyl slabs, Dat Boy Mikee and East 35 each unleash 12-inch singles – “Gimme a Break (White Label) and “C Me Outside” (Sky Limit), respectively – teeming with a local flare coming into its own comfort zone of potential greatness.
This article appears in April 7 • 2006.