SCREWSTON, Texas – Every June 27, the Houston community gathers together to remember the iconic beats and the soulful sounds of Southern rap created by the one and only, DJ Screw.
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That date marks DJ Screw Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Robert Earl Davis Jr., better known as DJ Screw, the originator of the “chopped and screwed” style of music that became synonymous with Houston’s hip-hop scene.
Screw was born in Smithville, Texas back in 1971.
According to Variety.com, during the 1990s, he developed the revolutionary mixing technique from his Houston home, adding new rhythms to instrumental tracks, slowing them down and bringing in local rappers to freestyle over the tracks. Before long, he was selling thousands of tapes — most of his work was documented on cassettes — in a matter of days, and his sound became the soundtrack for Houston hip-hop and was often associated with “lean,” a.k.a. sizzurp or purple drank, the dangerous, codeine-laced drink that played a major role in Screw’s death in November of 2000.
SEE ALSO: Made in Texas: How Slabs became a symbol of Houston’s hip hop culture
Aside from music, many people celebrate the day by enjoying another thing Screw loved. Houstonians host car shows on June 27, showcasing the city’s beloved SLAB culture—customized cars with candy paint, swangas, and neon lights.
Some of these cars are decked out with tributes to DJ Screw, with each one being a testament to his lasting influence on the city’s culture.
Overall, DJ Screw Day in Houston is more than a celebration of music; it’s a testament to the enduring legacy of a man who took the sounds of his city and transformed them into something timeless.
Through the beats that continue to echo through Houston’s streets, DJ Screw’s spirit lives on, forever embedded in the heart of the city.