By Briana Cheng
In the early '90s, DJ Screw created the "chopped and screwed" movement, a turntable technique where he slowed down the tempo and torqued with parts of hip-hop anthems. Toward the end of the '90s, another dude created his own brand of that and called it "chopped not slopped." This guy's name is Ronald Coleman, aka OG Ron C, and he's still going strong. He recently worked with 2 Chainz and released a chopped not slopped rework of Based on a T.R.U. Story and no, this wasn't a free mixtape—2 Chainz's major label, Def Jam, put it up on iTunes. Now, you can pay $12 for a slower, sedate version of Tity Boi tracks from "Birthday Song" to "I Luv Dem Strippers."
While chopped and screwed sometimes gets dismissed as a phase specific to a time and place, it's still making an impact on popular hip-hop even decades later, and it's not just exclusive to Houston anymore. Here are ten chopped and screwed songs that never get old.
1.Steel Pulse’s “Life Without Music” Screwed by DJ Screw
Here is a reggae super jam. DJ Screw calmed the chirpy vibe of the original from Steel Pulse and did his signature thing to make it even slower paced than the carefree island lifestyle. It’s now the perfect song to soundtrack an evening of passing the blunt around and reminiscing on the beauty of life with your closest friends. Also, goddammit, there is no life without music.
Best Youtube Comment: “DJ SCREW IS THE DESIGNATED DJ IN HEAVEN....”
2.Boyz II Men Covering Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” Chopped by OG RON C
Who hasn't cried to Cyndi Lauper's bedroom classic? “Time After Time” is one of those pop oldies that will push you to the tearful phase when you’re the slightest bit emotional. Boyz II Men took the classic and added their own touches, but when Ron went in, he only added to the magic. A track that makes you want to grab and hold onto every promise the lyrics make, and definitely a time when slowing things down and just letting it happen feels like the best move.
Best Youtube Comment: “I've heard people say that screwed music isn't music.. that's true.. because it isn't music.. it's art.. I dare you to listen to this and tell me any different..”
3.OG Ron C - “Kiss Me Thru The Phone”
Sometimes I ask myself, “what would Soulja Boy do?” Between his hit singles “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” and “Turn My Swag On” and, of course, this soul jam, props to OG Ron C for picking “Kiss Me Thru The Phone.” Ron throws his personal touches into a classic digitally imagined love-making song that sounds so smooth it will probably have you texting your boo in no time—if not dialing their number just to uh, talk. Bob your head along to OG’s scratches and rewinds of Soulja Boy’s words of comfort.
Best Youtube Comment: “This song is horrible but chopped not slopped it ain't half bad.”
4.Krush Groove All Stars’ “Southside Groovin'” Screwed by DJ Screw
With samples and bits from a song called “Krush Groovin” by Krush Groove All Stars, Screw flipped this funky party-starter and converted it into a swaying R&B jam. Screw’s take on the song, which he dubbed “Southside Groovin'” also features Big T, Point Blank, Psk 13 and Z-Ro. Not sure what else is need for you to feel the groove here.
Best Youtube Comment: “Used to get so trashed to this song back in the day, and song always made you want to act hood.”
5.Kanye’s “Mercy” Chopped by Michael Watts
Besides “Chopped and Screwed” and “Chopped Not Slopped," there is another variation on the practice that has been dubbed “Screwed and Chopped.” Major differences here, people. This style originated with DJ Michael Watts and he worked up a version of last year’s summer anthem from Kanye West’s Cruel Summer album. Everyone knows “Mercy” and it's the track that every DJ has a remix of—but the best is the chopped and screwed version. Be careful of the multiple loops and if you’re looking for 2 Chainz’s verse, skip to 5:25.
Best Youtube Comment: “Who be sippen on that purple drank and smoken on that kush.”
6.R. Kelly’s “Greatest Sex” Screwed by Swishahouse
Swishahouse is the name of OG Ron C and Michael Watts' record label. For one of their many mixtapes, which they delicately named Fuck Action 22, they dedicated thirteen chopped and screwed tracks to the Pied Piper of R&B—R.Kelly. “Greatest Sex” is my favorite from that project and, apparently, this Youtube commenter can relate from having the best sex ever to it. See below.
Best Youtube Comment: "Ive had my back broke due to ths sng. so i feel ya”
7.UGK’s “International Player’s Anthem” Chopped by OG Ron C
Be patient with this one. The intro to “International Player’s Anthem” is one best in the entire hip-hop canon and OG Ron C stretches it out to a total of almost 6 minutes—because let's face it anyone sippin' on purple drank will need that long to fully absorb UGK's majesty. The only thing lacking here is probably Andre 3000’s verse but that’s okay, chopped and screwed or not, this will always be international player’s anthem. Please remember kids, always wear a rubba.
Best Youtube Comment: “OG Ron C is that dude.”
8.Paul Wall’s “Girl” Chopped by Michael Watts
“Ohhhh girl, I’d be in trouble if you left me now.” The pitch of The Chi-lite’s “Oh Girl” sample in Paul Wall’s original track was a little off with the rest of the song, but Watts slowed down the rest of the track's aesthetic to perfectly complement the rhythm of those classic words. I can only imagine all of us sitting in a circle around a campfire, legs crossed, as Paul Wall tells us this love story, his silver grillz flashing under the starlight.
Best Youtube Comment: "THIS IS A CLASSIC I STILL JAM IT CRUZING DWN THE BLVD.”
9.R.Kelly’s “Your Body’s Calling” Screwed by DJ Screw
Speaking of R. Kelly, Screw did an amazing job with “Your Body’s Calling.” The song was already a slow fire burner but these edits provide a closer level of intimacy. It’s as if you are getting your back rubbed with a warm scented body oil. Sorry, getting weird now... but somehow I think Kellz would approve.
Best Youtube Comment: “ima bang screw till its over”
10.Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” Screwed by DJ Screw
This is number one because it will forever be relevant and that’s simply because Biggie will forever be relevant. Can the manipulated voice of Biggie saying “It was all a dream” just go viral on the internet already? Listening to Biggie chopped and screwed makes me wonder if only this song is reality and everything else so far in my life has been a dream? That kind of existential crisis could only be caused by the beautiful practice of chopped and screwed, so thanks for everything, Screw.
Best Youtube Comment: “I'm new to this "Chopped & Screwed" music and fuuuucck this is dope!! xD”