Chamillionaire

All About Swishahouse: Label Bosses Tell (Almost) All at Rice U Seminar

This time last year, we attended the Awready! Houston Hip-Hop Conference at the University of Houston, an informative and thought-provoking event whose main purpose was the presentation and preservation of DJ Screw's legacy and contribution to the city's culture. In the same respect, Rice Universit ... More >>

The Rocks Off 100: Rapid Ric, Mixtape Mechanic

Welcome to the Rocks Off 100, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community -- a lot more than just musicians, but of course they're in there too. Who? "Mixtape Mechanic" Rapid Ric, a studio owner and producer, has been DJing in Texa ... More >>

The Rest of the Best: Houston's Top 5 Hip-Hop Venues

5. Grooves of Houston Grooves is an apropos name for this Third Ward hot spot: It's groovy. Besides hip-hop and R&B, the club also also plays jazz, which probably accounts for the mixed bag of ages found here. One word of caution, though: Get there early, and dress to impress. Grooves' popularity me ... More >>

Friday Night: Chamillionaire, Paul Wall & Z-Ro At Warehouse Live

Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Z-Ro Warehouse Live May 5, 2012 If you've been staying up nights worrying that Houston's rap legacy will be lost on the city's current crop of teens and young adults, go ahead and sleep soundly tonight. The crowd for Friday night's concert featuring local all-stars Chamil ... More >>

Houston R&B Singer Lee-Lonn Braces For Stardom

Each week, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group "Artist of the Week," bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or artist that isn't awful? Email their particulars to sheaserrano@gmail.com. A couple of days ago, Grammy-winning ... More >>

BestFest: Chamillionaire, Starmaker; The Tontons, New Stars

Marc BrubakerKing Koopa: Talent scout in his spare time.​God Almighty, that cool front did not last anywhere near long enough. The crowd seems to be in pretty good spirits, but it's just past the hottest part of the day right now and fatigue is starting to show. It's better now - ed. People a ... More >>

Hoodstar Chantz Picks The Best Freestylers & Battle Rappers Ever

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place -lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good- so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email sheaserrano@gmail.com. ... More >>

Chamillionaire Comes Aboard BestFest Lineup

Marco TorresChamillionaire at House of Blues, April 2010​Remember that announcement Rocks Off promised you about another addition to next month's Best of Houston® BestFest lineup lo those many years months days hours ago? Like, yesterday? Here it is: Chamillionaire. Sorry it took so long, ... More >>

More Local Music News Than Fighting Navy SEALs

It's not every week that Arcade Fire returns to the suburbs whose ennui inspired a Grammy-winning album, but it is every week that we bring a brimming local music roundup for all of our Rocks Off readers. Without further ado, we present the latest installment of Magnolia City Mixtape. ​Hot of ... More >>

Exclusive: Chamillionaire's New Major Pain Is Not Universal

​Earlier this week, Chamillionaire, still glowing from being free from the tyrannical grip of Universal Records, released Major Pain 1.5. Thursday afternoon, he was polite (or politic) enough to take a few minutes to talk about the tape. The notes from the conversation and the tape are kind ... More >>

Comic-Book Alter Egos For Top Houston Rappers

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email introducingliston@gmail.com ... More >>

Pickin' on Nashville

Vince Gill centers himself through bluegrass and digs Miranda Lambert.

Chamillionaire, Universal Records Part Ways

​Chamillionaire has severed ties with Universal Records, his label of the past six years. The melodically gifted Houston rapper released his major-label debut, The Sound of Revenge, in 2005 through a partnership between his Chamillitary Entertainment imprint and Universal Music Group. Revenge ... More >>

What Is Houston Rap's Best Diss Song Ever?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Fat Tony, Renzo, Kyle Hubbard, Brad Gilmor ... More >>

Why Would Anyone Ever Set Out To Be A Rapper?

Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday (that isn't a national holiday) Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Fat Tony, Yung Redd, Thurogood Wordsmith and K ... More >>

Chamillionaire Addresses Foreclosure In Freestyle

Courtesy of OGPR TMZ fails to catch Chamillionaire ridin' dirty.​ Chamillionaire has recently been getting a lot of media attention from the likes of TMZ and Perez Hilton for the Houston rapper's so-called "business decision" to let his Houston-area house go into foreclosure - or, more accurately, ... More >>

Perez Hilton Strikes Another Houston Rapper

​Well, it's Friday afternoon, and at this point Rocks Off is basically just counting down to 5 p.m. and whatever concert announcement for Dave Matthews, John Mayer or someone else we only marginally care about (and occasionally someone we actually do, like Van Morrison) inevitably shows ... More >>

Ex-Box DJ Klean Cutt Talks About Kracker Nuttz's Firing

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place -lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good- so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? E-mail it to introducingliston ... More >>

Rocks Off Exclusive: Behind The Scenes Of Chamillionaire's "The Main Event" Video

Photos by Matthew Keever​ As we walked into the warehouse off Commerce Street where a music video was scheduled to be shot for Chamillionaire's recent single, "The Main Event," Slim Thug pulled up. In style, we might add (above). We let the boss and his posse head inside first, then followed them ... More >>

The H-Town Countdown: Clearing the Table and Tying Up Loose Ends

Roughly 84,000 rap albums have been released in Houston since 1989. We're counting down the 25 best of all time every Thursday. Or we were. Got a problem with the list? Shove it. Just kidding. Friendship. Email it to sheaserrano@gmail.com. Well, it's over. We stretched it out just about as long as ... More >>

Ultimate Victory

Fences with Paul Wall mended, upcoming tour planned, Chamillionaire is comfortable being the rapper next door.

Rocks Off's 2010 Predictions: The Fate of Owl City, Chingo Bling vs. Chamillionaire, the Next Twilight Soundtrack and Madchester In Katy

www.flickr.com/photos/dherholz/​ Adam Young of Owl City will mystify the scientific community, yet surprise no one in the music community, when he is hacked in half in a freak sawmill accident, and it's discovered he is filled with gummi bears. The Arcade Fire/Flaming Lips feud is resolved when ... More >>

Ask a Rapper: A Bunch of Local Rap Types Pick Their Best H-Town Songs of the Year

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good- so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email it to introducingliston ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Killa Kyleon, Destiny's Child, New Boyz, Lil' Flip, Devin, Trae, Cham, Freddy Gibbs, Weezy, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Rihanna, etc.

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won't rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Single of the Week: "H-Town State of Mind," Killa Kyleon Killa is so, so, so good at flipping at other people's songs. Wire ... More >>

The H-Town Countdown, No. 8: Devin the Dude's Just Tryin' Ta Live

Roughly 84,000 rap albums that have been released in Houston since 1989. We're counting down the 25 best of all time every Thursday. Got a problem with the list? Shove it. Just kidding. Friendship. Email it to sheaserrano@gmail.com. Devin the Dude Just Tryin' Ta Live (Rap-a-Lot/Asylum, 2002) ​In t ... More >>

Gobble Gobble Hey: Our Choices for Local Hip-Hop Turkeys of 2009

[Ed. Note: To go along with the cover story in this week's Houston Press, Rocks Off asked our writers to nominate a few local musical "Turkeys of the Year." Turns out there were quite a few from the hip-hop side of town. We'll unveil the biggest musical turkey of all tomorrow.] ​ Those Deer That R ... More >>

Turning the Screw: ESG and Friends, Chamillionaire, Dustin Prestige, 50, Eminem, Jay-Z, Chris Brown, Jeezy, Rihanna, Lil' Flip, etc.

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won't rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Single of the Week: "Break Dem Boys Off," ESG feat. Slim Thug and Big Hawk Wire To Wire Chamillionaire continues to market ... More >>

The H-Town Countdown, No. 15: Chamillionaire's Original Mixtape Messiah, or 20-Plus Ways to Dis Mike Jones

Roughly 84,000 rap albums have been released in Houston since 1989. We're counting down the 25 best of all time every Thursday. Got a problem with the list? Shove it. Just kidding. Friendship. Email it to sheaserrano@gmail.com. "You drop one track, he's still alive." - Chamillionaire, on why he ai ... More >>

Ask a Rapper: Grammy-Winning Mixtape Messiah Chamillionaire

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place -lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good- so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email introducingliston@gmail. ... More >>

Five Spot: Chamillionaire's Mixtape Messiah 7

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and, sometimes awkwardly, tie it to a bit of Houston rap. It's five videos and occasional cussing. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com.​Say what you will about Chamillionaire's occasionally irritable nature, but ... More >>

Twitter Ticker: Updates from Solange, Chamillionaire, Young Mammals, Fat Tony, Joe Mathlete, etc.

Solange​We watched our pals @JanelleMonae @ofmontreal_fans tear up the stage before...and after...all sang "my jamaican guy" like we had one. 2:08 AM Jul 27 there was also a 4 year old glow-stick rave going on with Julezie & some other kids with Gracey dancing with a mannequin as the backdrop. ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Chamillionaire & Z-Ro, UGK, Slim Thug, Trae Day, Chris Brown, Meth & Red, Diddy, MCA, O.G. Style and More

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won't rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Single of the Week: Chamillionaire feat. Z-Ro, "Denzel Washington" Wire To Wire Slim Thugga cut off his braids. Not sure ho ... More >>

Five Spot: Chamillionaire, Consistent as Oatmeal

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and, sometimes awkwardly, tie it to a bit of Houston rap. It's five videos and occasional cussing. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com.For some reason, there was this kid that we went to middle school with who, de ... More >>

Slideshow: Slim Thug CD Release Party at Level

Bill OliveDevin the Dude, Chamillionaire and lots more came out to downtown nightclub Level last night to salute Slim Thug at the release party for his latest CD, Boss of All Bosses. Bill Olive was on the scene - click here for a slideshow.

Slideshow: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade

Photo by Chris Gray This bright, blustery morning, Rocks Off ventured to Minute Maid Park to take in Houston's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, featuring Mixtape Messiah and Co-Grand Marshal Chamillionaire, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rockets mascot Clutch, the mighty U of H and Willowridge ... More >>

Chamillioniare & Martin Luther King: They Have A Dream

Houston's MLK Parade Foundation recently announced the crowning of Chamillionaire as a co-Grand Marshal in the 2009 MLK parade. At first blush, some might think that a dude who spends a great deal of time talking about his dick, his riches, and his gun is an unusual choice to represent Dr. King's vi ... More >>

Los Magnificos: Like a Live H-Town Mixtape

Los Magnificos 2008 bounces into Reliant Center Sunday. Bun B Whip, ride, slab, some bit of street slang Rocks Off won't even hear for another eight months - cars are as essential to hip-hop as crossfaders and lyrics that rhyme. But no city's rappers place their wheels on a higher pedestal tha ... More >>

Los Magnificos Car Show

Web exclusive!

Turning the Screw: Chamillionaire, Immortal Technique, 50 Cent, Damon Dash, Lil Wayne, Timbaland, Raekwon, South Park Mexican and More

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won’t rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Single of the Week: Chamillionaire, “Swagger Like Us Freestyle” We normally reserve this section for unknown local ... More >>

Slideshow: Listening Party for Bun B's II Trill

Sayonara , Matt Sonzala

Talking SXSW and rap's current malaise with a soon-to-be ex-Houstonian

Chamillionaire: Not So Dirty

Chamillionaire, Ultimate Victory

CD Review

Radio on the TV: Chamillionaire Debuts New Video

All Up in the Ozone

Houston Hip-Hop

Mike Watts and his stable of northside rappers take a southside legend's style to the masses

That Was the Year That Was

Looking back on the local scene in '06

Chamillionaire? Aight, BET!

Frankie J

Priceless

Hip-hop as She Is Rapped

Translating the German Wikipedia entries of Houston's top MCs