Videos by According2HipHop
Trying to sum up the South’s rise in hip-hop with just a handful of tracks feels like trying to bottle lightning. It wasn’t a trend—it was a takeover. From barbecue-stained corners in Houston to bass-heavy blocks in Atlanta and the bounce-soaked clubs of New Orleans, Southern rap reshaped the genre with a sound, swagger, and slang all its own. While the coasts dominated the early narrative, the South stayed patient, built its identity, and then kicked the door off the hinges.
These three songs didn’t just bang in the clubs or on the block—they changed the game. Each one was a statement, proof that the South wasn’t just here—it was the center of the culture.
OutKast – “Elevators (Me & You)” (1996)
Before the world fully grasped what Atlanta had to offer, OutKast told us to pay attention. “Elevators” wasn’t your typical Southern rap song—it was spacey, poetic, and deeply introspective. André 3000 and Big Boi floated over Organized Noize’s hypnotic production with stories about ambition, grind, and the reality of fame before it hit full force. When André famously said, “The South got something to say” at the 1995 Source Awards, this is what he meant. “Elevators” proved it.
Juvenile – “Back That Azz Up” (1999)
If “Back That Azz Up” drops and nobody moves, check their pulse. Juvenile’s breakout hit didn’t just define New Orleans bounce—it made it global. With Mannie Fresh lacing the beat and a teenage Lil Wayne throwing in a memorable closer, the track became an instant classic. It was raw, infectious, and unapologetically Southern. From house parties to stadiums, this song still commands bodies to move. It helped Cash Money explode, and it helped solidify the South as a major force in mainstream rap.
DJ Screw – “June 27” (1996)
This one’s different. “June 27” isn’t a radio record—it’s a Texas ritual. A 35-minute freestyle session led by DJ Screw and the Screwed Up Click, the track became the foundation of Houston’s chopped and screwed culture. Slow, woozy, and deeply local, it captured the soul of the city in a way nothing else could. Screw’s style would influence everyone from A$AP Rocky to Drake. “June 27” wasn’t just a moment—it became a monument.
These records didn’t just represent the South—they made sure nobody could ignore it. They each brought something different to the table: innovation, energy, culture. And they helped lay the groundwork for everything from crunk to trap to drill’s Southern cousins. The South took the long road—but when it arrived, it changed hip-hop forever.
