I’m in the middle of a big project that I have to complete then I’m planning on sleeping, a novel thought! So ProHipHop will be a bit delayed.

The syrup reference relates to the increasing attention paid to the influence of DJ Screw, the late Houston producer who introduced the practice of slowing down all or sections of songs as a remixing technique that produces an otherworldly effect that some consider an aesthetic equivalent of the effects of drinking cough syrup that contains codeine. Actually, people usually just mention the cough syrup but my general understanding without having checked out the scene directly is that it’s usually mixed with soda, candy and alcohol in a disturbing sounding concoction called lean or syzzurp.

I doubt that the Jolly Rancher or Sprite folks will be aiming for any product placement on Mike Jones videos but keep an eye peeled for soda bottles being waved around in videos like it was Cristal. By the way, I’m about halfway through the low-budget documentary about DJ Screw and the Screwed Up Click, Soldiers United for Cash, that was recently released on dvd. It’s got some interesting stories and the opening gives you a nice sense of the fact that Houston, like much of East Texas, really is part of the South.

Checking out the interviews with DJ Screw just got me more interested and I’ll follow up later with the story he tells of how he started selling mixtapes. Screwed Up Records & Tapes is now online and you can track the influence through the many new Hip Hop Albums that follow the initial release with a chopped, screwed and/or slowed version. I’m looking forward to checking out more early stuff but, for now, I’m just happy seeing this unique aesthetic hitting the national stage. However, I don’t expect syzzurp mixer to be rolled out nationally for at least another year or two.

Available from Amazon:
DVD – Soldiers United for Cash.