So what’s next for Houston rap after a year of much heralded hegemony? Will Houston and the south in general continue to ride high in Hip Hop’s train of fame or will another region hi-jack the movement from the dirty dirty? I’ve been asked this question soooo many times. But can you handle the truth?

The truth is that nobody milks a good thing halfway…well at least not in Hip Hop. The corporate honchos are not that nice – they’re obligated to sap the hottest artist (or movement in this case) until there’s nothing left.

Unfortunately, the southern movement has worn itself out. Our muse ran out the same year people discovered that we had something to muse about.
Thankfully, there are still a few heads that’ll keep Houston hazily on the Hip Hop map this year.

But first, allow me to re-introduce you to some of the less-talked about vanguards that helped pave the way in the first place:

The Originators

• South Park Coalition
• DJ Screw/Screwed Up Click
• Geto Boys
• UGK (reppin’ P.A. to the teeth but still part of H-Town family)
• Scarface
• Fat Pat
• Z-Ro
  

The Major Players of 2005

• Slim Thug
• Chamillionaire
• Bun B
• Paul Wall
• Mike Jones (unfortunately)

The Future of Texas in 2006

• Godwon – Houston’s Undisputed Heavyweight Lyricist
• Bavu Blakes – Austin’s Mic Minister
• The G.R.i.T Boys [G.R.i.T. = Ghetto Reality in Texas]
• Steve Austin - He’s got the whole dallas on his back
• Aztek Escobar – Proudly championing Jay-Z’s Roc La Familia movement
• Rob G - The Rise of the Latin Legend
• Mojoe – Poetic, jazzy, incisive, well-rounded duo
• Money Waters – Urban storyteller
• K-Rino - Fanning the SPC flame, and doing it well
• X-Trct – Product of a melting pot, versatile emcee
• Trae – S.U.C. Veteran

Upcoming Houston Projects (Cd’s, Mixtapes, etc)
Scarface – The Product
Scarface – My Homies II
Lil’ Flip – I Need Mine
Godwon – The Future in The Present
Pimp C/UGK – TBA
Aztek – The Rise To Power