Almighty Jay

New Rappers Weigh In On The Chopped-And-Screwed Movement Watching Paul Wall’s ‘Sittin’ Sidewayz’

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In 2005, the world was introduced to a new sound in hip-hop music, one that was strange but somehow undeniable. That sound has come to be known as “chopped-and-screwed,” as it was pioneered by Houston DJ Screw and came to eventually define the regional Texas sound before taking over the mainstream. The song that brought this once underground style to widespread awareness — or at least helped a whole bunch, along with Mike Jones’ “Still Tippin” — was “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” the debut single from diamond-grilled rapper Paul Wall.

In today’s new edition of React Like You Know, our panel — consisting of millennial and Gen-Z artists like Almighty Jay, ASAP Tyy, Baby Tate, Lakeyah, OhGeesy, and Houston’s own KenTheMan — weighs in on the Houston musical movement, as well as other regional staples like slabs (big, candy-painted, classic cars with rims and hydraulics), OG Ron C, and grills. Baby Tate even admits to not knowing that Paul Wall is white when the song first came out, but Strick explains it perfectly: “You might see a white boy with a grill and wonder what’s going on, but sh*t — he with us!”

Watch the new episode of React Like You Know above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tevin Campbell’s ‘Can We Talk’ Video Gets D Smoke, Kali, Almighty Jay, And More In The Mood For Love

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It has been a while — over three months! — but React Like You Know is back with a new panel of rising stars watching a classic video for the first time. Our return episode is a little late for Valentine’s Day, but as Tevin Campbell’s video for Grammy-nominated 1993 R&B staple “Can We Talk” shows, it’s never a bad time for love — and our panel, which consists of Almighty Jay, D Smoke, Kali, Lakeyah, Niko G4, Stunnaman02, and more, agrees.

Written and produced by Babyface, “Can We Talk” was the first single from Campbell’s second album, I’m Ready, and peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and a nomination for a Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance Grammy. The video, shot in a park on a rainy day, follows Tevin and friends as they play a game of football before he and his love interest break off for some private time.

Of course, for much of our panel, these background details are less prevalent in their memories than their moms playing the song on the radio. However, its subject matter proves to be fertile ground for discussion, with many of the rappers reminiscing on the video’s fashion and the relatable feeling of not knowing how to approach a crush. They offer their thoughts on matching ‘fits, writing love letters (Kali’s reaction is *chef’s kiss*), and what’s missing from modern R&B (KenTheMan’s take: “They don’t be standing outside with boomboxes.”).

Watch the latest episode of React Like You Know above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.