Lil Wayne feat. the Hot Boys BG, Juvenile, Turk, & the Big Tymers Birdman & Mannie Fresh
Houston, Texas
December 21, 2024
Houston and New Orleans have long enjoyed a deep connection: both are founded around canals and bayous, divided in half by Interstate I-10, both enjoying lively music, art, and food cultures that resonate all around the globe. That connection grew stronger in 2005 after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina led to a migration of New Orleans residents toward Houston.
In the ’90s and 2000s, as Rap and Hip Hop shifted from its roots to embrace the sounds, beats, and lingo from the South. Houston and New Orleans (along with Atlanta and Miami) each presented major players in the industry, which included Cash Money Records, founded by brothers Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Baby/Birdman” Williams.
I remember riding around in my white 1998 Chevy Cavalier with two Rockford Fosgate 12 inch subs in the truck listening to a burned CD of music from New Orleans, which included the tracks “I Need A Hot Girl” and “We On Fire” by the Hot Boys. I later saw the video to that song on BET, and distinctly remember the shirtless Hot Boys running away from the ATF all around New Orleans. The beat, attitude, and lively nature of the Hot Boys crew lead me to search for similar music online, as well as my local Soundwaves.