Every year on June 27, the city of Houston pays tribute to one of its most influential musical figures, DJ Screw, whose pioneering sound shaped the identity of Southern Hip Hop and left an indelible mark on music culture.
Known to the world as DJ Screw, born Robert Earl Davis Jr. is hailed as the originator of the “chopped and screwed” sound, a slowed-down, hypnotic style of remixing that became the heartbeat of Houston’s underground rap scene in the ’90s. Born in Smithville, Texas, in 1971, Screw turned his Houston home into a production hub, where he began crafting slowed-down versions of rap songs with warped rhythms and layering in freestyles from local MCs.
As his tapes gained traction, Screw’s distinct sound spread rapidly across the South. At the height of his influence, he was reportedly selling thousands of mixtapes within days, with much of his catalog distributed via cassette; a medium that further emphasized the raw, street-born authenticity of his work.
DJ Screw’s music also became closely linked with the “lean” culture, purple drank, a codeine-based concoction, which tragically played a role in his untimely death on November 16, 2000.
But DJ Screw Day in Houston is about more than music; it’s a full celebration of culture. On June 27, car enthusiasts across the city host SLAB car shows, showcasing signature Houston rides featuring candy-painted exteriors, rotating “swangas,” and neon lights. Many of these cars are adorned with tributes to Screw himself, serving as rolling memorials to a man who revolutionized the sound of the South.
More than two decades after his passing, DJ Screw’s impact still resonates. June 27 isn’t just a date; it’s a symbol of how one artist’s vision helped shape a city’s identity and created a musical movement that continues to inspire generations.