LIFE IS MY HIGH....

I had to save this one for last….

Summertime in the Dirty South cannot be accurately described by words alone. Barbecues, Pool Parties, Super Sunday’s at the park… you name it, we did it.

The style was similar to that on the west coast, but it wasn’t about chucks and cortez as much as it was about Deion’s, Bo Jacksons, Andre Aggasi’s, and of course the Jordan’s.

Andre Agassi's Circa 1989/1990

Many of you probably don't even remember the Agassi's or Bo's, but if you were rocking any pair of these, you were doing it…

However, if you weren't rocking these, there were 3 things that could save you:What you were driving; What you were sitting on; and What you had in the trunk

Bo Jackson's Circa 1989/1990

During the summer of 94, I was on top of the world. Fresh pair of Jordan’s, a car on chrome, and a lil beat in the trunk... And I kept a music store on the passenger seat so everyone that I rode past could understand my mood at the time.

So that brings us to the good stuff…. My Throwback Summertime Top 10 – (The Dirty Dirty Edition)
From Texas to Florida, North Carolina to Georgia, music in the Dirty South has developed its own persona.

Florida’s style was different from the style in Tennessee.
Atlanta developed its own flavor while Texas is something like its own hip-hop country.

You either have to be a true hip-hop head, or had to grow up in it to understand….

So for those of you who need a reintroduction, please allow me to begin with those that receive an Honorable Mention:

· Eightball & MJG – Lay It Down (the only reason they aren’t in the top 10 is because I can’t find a decent video to use)

· UGK – Diamonds and Wood (Same reason as above)

· Tela – Shonuff (Club Classic)

· Master P – Break Em Off Something (Club Banger)

· Playa Fly – Nobody Needs Nobody (Proof that Tennessee is more than Banjos and HeeHaw)

So now that we have recognized those… let’s get to the Top 10.

10) TRU – I’m Bout it
The movies, albums, clothing lines…. You name it, P was in it and when this track dropped, everyone in the south claimed they were Bout It at least once in their life…

9) Ghetto Mafia – Straight from the Dec
ATL, summer 1996…. I heard this on the radio and tried to find a tape to dub it. No one knew who it was, and I was too cool to call the radio. My cousin put me on to it and I copped it when it dropped the FOLLOWING YEAR.

8) Silkk – The Shocker
I was a pure Silkk fan when the Shocker dropped. I could play this album from beginning to end, with this one being the fire-starter. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed with his sophomore effort.

7) Scarface – Let Me Roll
This one speaks for itself. Throwback summertime in Houston Texas.

6) Geto Boys w/Big Mike – Straight Gangsterism
When Willie D stepped aside for a moment, Big Mike came in and made his presence felt on Straight Gangsterisim which is now a southern classic.

5) Kingpin Skinny Pimp feat 3-6 Mafia – One Life to Live
My introduction to Tennessee (Funky Town flow) began my freshman year in college. The style was addictive, and as you see I still haven’t gotten over it.

4) Goodie Mob – Dirty South
1 to the 2, the 3, the 4.. them dirty Red Dogs done hit the floor…. Everyone in the south knew who the Red Dogs were… Red Dogs kickin in doors was just as common as gnats being at a barbecue.

3) Mystikal – Here I Go
If you could follow his on again-off again, fast –then-slow, wax on wax off flow, you had no doubt that this rapper had superior talent. This track was sick.

2) Outkast – Players Ball
Has to be one of the freshest tracks to be released in 1994. When this track dropped, all the “wanna be” gangsters stopped and started wanting to be players …. Hey, I guess it was much safer to be a player than a gangster.

Outkast - Player's Ball (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: OutKast

1) Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks
With the Geto Boys dropping albums since 1988, it is understandable that they are mentioned on this list twice. And with the Mind Playing Tricks track still getting airplay til this day, it is understandable why they are number 1.

Well that will wrap it up for another top 10…. As I always say, I use no research. I only go from what is on my mind and if I can’t remember one, that means it wasn’t an summer banger in my book.

But like Diddy… I Can’t stop….. Won’t Stop…. Eh-Eh. Eh-Eh

(That was classic Chappelle….)

Anyways, I wouldn’t do the south justice if I did not include the songs that set the club on fire back in the day and with that being said:

Splack Pack – Scrub The Ground