Africa Incorporated #140 “Dirty South Hospitality!”

THE DIRTY SOUTH CAME THROUGH TODAY, Y’ALL! 🔥🔥

Another DOPE Africa Incorporated in the books!

This Thursday, November 12th, we brought some serious SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY into the afternoon! But we weren’t serving sweet tea and sitting on the porch. We brought that BASS, ENERGY and unmistakable DIRTY SOUTH FLAVOR!

The South is WIDE and VAST, and when we talk about Southern Hip Hop, we’re talking about different cities, regional sounds, musical traditions and artists who helped change the direction of the culture.

From Atlanta’s Crunk and Trap to Memphis grooves, New Orleans Bounce, Houston’s laid-back swagger and Miami Bass, the South has contributed an incredible amount to Hip Hop.

And coming from Chicago, I’ve always appreciated those connections between the South and Midwest. Interstate 55 and Interstate 65 are more than highways. They’re routes connecting cities, families, communities and cultures, carrying musical influences back and forth for generations.

That connection between the Midwest and the South is something I wanted to bring into the spirit of this show!

And MAN, DID WE BRING THE ENERGY!

We kicked things off with Ying Yang Twins and Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz on “Salt Shaker.”

COME ON NOW!

That record brought the party straight through the door! Then Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Lil Scrappykept the Crunk energy moving with “What U Gon’ Do.”

When Lil Jon was bringing that sound out of Atlanta, it was impossible to ignore. The production, the chants, the bass and the crowd participation helped turn Crunk into a major movement in Hip Hop.

From there, 8Ball & MJG stepped in with “You Don’t Want Drama,” featuring P. Diddy. Now we’re talking about MEMPHIS! Two Southern Hip Hop veterans who helped establish their city’s presence in the culture long before the South received the recognition it deserved.

Then came Purple Ribbon All-Stars with “Kryptonite,” bringing that Atlanta flavor associated with Big Boi and the Dungeon Family’s musical world.

Different sounds, different personalities, but that Southern identity was present throughout!

Next up, Lil Wayne with “A Milli.”

MAN! WAYNE WAS ON ANOTHER LEVEL!

That record brought some serious lyrical energy before we went back to New Orleans with Juvenile featuring Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh on “Back That Azz Up.”

Now THAT’S A CLASSIC!

Cash Money Records, Mannie Fresh’s production and that unmistakable New Orleans Bounce influence helped bring an entirely different Southern sound to audiences worldwide.

And we kept the party moving!

Chingy’s “Right Thurr,” J-Kwon’s “Tipsy” and Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” brought some Midwest flavor into the afternoon.

St. Louis has always been an interesting musical connection between Southern and Midwestern culture. Those records were everywhere during the early 2000s, bringing their own bounce, personality and club energy into Hip Hop.

And that’s exactly what I mean when I talk about the connections between these regions. The music doesn’t stop at state lines!

Then we headed back down to MEMPHIS!

THREE 6 MAFIA featuring Project Pat — “Poppin’ My Collar!”

That Memphis sound has influenced generations of producers and MCs. From those dark, hypnotic beats to the heavy bass and distinctive flows, Three 6 Mafia helped establish a production style that continues to influence Hip Hop today.

Then it was time for some HOUSTON!

MIKE JONES — “BACK THEN!”

WHO? MIKE JONES!

Come on now! Houston brought its own personality to Hip Hop, with a musical identity shaped by artists, DJs and producers who weren’t afraid to do things their own way.

That slowed-down Southern swagger became a major part of Hip Hop culture, and Mike Jones was one of the artists who helped bring Houston’s sound into the mainstream.

From there, Trick Daddy stepped in with “Take It to da House,” bringing some MIAMI energy into the mix.

Then we returned to ATLANTA!

T.I. — “WHAT YOU KNOW!”

That record is a MONSTER! The production, the confidence and T.I.’s delivery helped define another important era of Southern Hip Hop.

And how did we close?

GUCCI MANE — “LEMONADE!”

MAN, WHAT A WAY TO FINISH!

Gucci Mane helped shape Atlanta Trap music and influenced an entire generation of artists. “Lemonade” brought that unmistakable energy into the final stretch of Africa Incorporated #140.

From the opening Crunk sounds of Lil Jon and Ying Yang Twins to Memphis legends, New Orleans Bounce, Midwest club classics, Houston swagger, Miami energy and Atlanta Trap, we covered some serious musical territory!

But the South is much bigger than any one show could represent.

Every city has its own history, its own musical identity and its own contributions to Hip Hop culture. And those connections extend far beyond the South, reaching into Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and communities across the Midwest.

I-55! I-65! THOSE CONNECTIONS RUN DEEP!

That’s one of the beautiful things about music. It travels through neighborhoods, cities, highways and generations, carrying pieces of culture along the way.

And today, we celebrated the ENERGY and FLAVOR of Southern Hip Hop!

THE DIRTY SOUTH WAS IN THE BUILDING!

Another DOPE Africa Incorporated in the books with DIESAL! 🎶🔥