The Coach’s Perspective: DJ Reddy Rock in Houston (South Park Baby!)

Author: DJ Reddy Rock

Cho!!! When we got to Texas we didn’t know what to expect from our host Chuck. We had a few conversations on the phone and he seemed cool and laid back. He probably didn’t know what to expect from us either. He came to pick us up and explained that he lived in the South Park Area. When we started to get closer to his neighborhood, I noticed the “Nigga” Stores. It felt familiar and like home. It was kind of odd to see that the houses were neighborhood houses. Chuck & his wife had a brand new two story in the middle of the hood. They didn’t move to the outskirts although they could have. I got the impression that they were born and raised in that area and were committed to their community. We were talking about gentrification and how the government wanted to move black people out of the inner city, so they believed it was better for them to buy and stay in the neighborhood.

Texas goes hard on their drinking, their smoking and their partying. They party for real! People weren’t acting bourgeoisie or standing back against the wall. They were just getting it in. That made me feel like I wanted to party. It felt like home. Everybody was showing love. I felt like I was around people that understood what it means to be from the hood. I didn’t have to move a certain way or be self-conscious. Chuck was intuitive, organized and handled business for us. It felt like they were a part of our team rather than being in awe of our team. They weren’t star struck, they were just working and moving with us.

While in Texas we went to visit different neighborhoods, ate at the best restaurants, and we had the best lunch I’ve ever had at a burger spot in Chuck’s neighborhood. We went shopping, played dominoes, listened to music and worked on music. Chuck could actually rap! Then we went to the strip club and we were all sitting at a table having drinks. A guy walked behind me, and I looked at Fest, and said “That’s Joe Budden.” Fest said, “That ain’t Joe. He ain’t at no strip club in Houston!” At the same time, one of Joe Budden’s dudes was looking at Fest from across the room, just like I did Budden. Then they came over. They knew some of the things that Fest was involved with, and even asked him about Charles Hamilton. He was a fellow player and there was mutual respect. The DJ shouted out Joe Budden & Rhymefest. It was nice to see them get equal love. Later on, the rest of Slaughterhouse came in Crooked I, Royce. We decided that night, that we were going to support each other’s shows. The next day they had Bun B with them. They actually watched the whole show in the crowd and Fest put on a hell of a show. We went backstage and they had a VIP Room right next to ours. Fest went to talk to them, cracked jokes, and we were all getting drunk.

Everybody moved as a unit: Both of our hosts, Dangerous Negro, Bun B, & Slaughterhouse. What I respect most about Rhymefest is that in certain situations. he could easily just dip off with other rappers & their entourages. He was invited to roll with Bun B but he said no, “I got all my family, my cousins (that’s what he called his hosts), Dangerous Negro, my DJ.” He said he was coming with all his people and everybody came. All of us walked in the back door together and we all went VIP style. I’m sure that his peers respect him more for that because he didn’t back down. If he wanted to be in the crowd he could’ve been in the crowd, looking at his chain hang. That’s not what he’s about and that is what makes him stand out.

Over all, Houston is just like Nap town and I love it!

Reddy Rock (@coachredd on Twitter)