If Houston had an official soundtrack, it would be dominated by rap music.
It’s an integral part of the city’s culture, a sound that typifies everything that’s unique about Houston. In the early ’90s, DJ Screw pioneered the chopped and screwed sound, slowing down tracks and slicing them up to create an entirely new genre. It’s still used today by artists in multiple genres.
A decade ago, the Houston rap explosion made stars out of Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall and Mike Jones. Port Arthur native Bun B is known as the unofficial mayor of Houston. Travis Scott and Megan Thee Stallion are among the biggest stars in the world. Trae Tha Truth is revered as both a rapper and a humanitarian.
Don Toliver, Fat Tony and Toby Nwigwe continue to carry the torch for Htown. And local rappers Bigg Fatts, KenTheMan and Monaleo are on the verge of breakout moments.
Naturally, then, Houston is a popular topic in rap lyrics. We dug into Genius’ lyrics database for the most popular rap songs that mention the city, as well as any Houston-related references like the Astroworld and Johnny Dang.
Want to listen to the top tracks mentioning our city? Scroll to the bottom for a curated Spotify playlist (with content warning)!
Most popular songs with Houston shoutouts
The most popular Houston-related song in our analysis was Bryson Tiller’s “Don’t” from the 2015 album TRAPSOUL. Other popular songs included “Night” by Frank Ocean, and multiple tracks by artists Drake and Travis Scott.
Rappers who mention Houston the most
We also wanted to know which artists mention Houston the most in their songs. UGK, the hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas composed of Bun B and the late Pimp C. who died in 2007, had the most references to the city with 43 songs. Bun B’s solo work follows close behind with 36 songs referencing the city and its culture. Carlos Coy, professionally known as South Park Mexican, referenced the city in 36 of his songs. Coy is currently serving a 45 year sentence for molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2001.
It may not have topped any charts, but here at the Chronicle we’re still partial to one song in particular – Paul Wall’s “Break Em’ Off“ from 2007.
“I’m a show ’em how to make the slab look phenomenal. Chasin’ paper in the mornin’; call me Houston Chronicle”
More of our favorite Houston rap lyrics:
“Houston, Texas, you can check my tags/Pull me over, try to check my slab” — “Ridin’,” Chamillionaire
“I’m a south side living legend/A Third Ward, bone hard street veteran” — “Barre Baby,” Big Moe
“Welcome to the, uh, Southside/No, uh-uh, I said the southside of Htown” — “Southside,” Lil Keke
“Switched the name, it’s still the same, Swishahouse or Swishablast” — “Still Tippin’,” Mike Jones, Slim Thug and Paul Wall
“I’ve been the same since I’ve been driving slow on Bissonnet/Call up anybody I know and they will tell you that” — “Special,” Lizzo
“H-O to the U-S, T-O to the N/God blessed me with the million dollar pen” — “Welcome 2 Houston,” Slim Thug
“I’m out that H-town, comin’ comin’ down/I’m coming down dripping candy on the ground” — “***Flawless,” Beyoncé
“I’m Htown to Cali, just like Robert Horry” — “Mo City Don,” Z-Ro
“H-Town what’s the deal/I’m gone drip like a seal” — “Stop Playin,” That Girl Lay Lay
“This is Htown baby, the Rockets, the Texans, the ‘Stros” — “City of the Swang,” Bun B
“Tell you ’bout a story, ’bout a couple of Xans/I was (expletive) ’round in Houston with a couple of fans” — “Can’t Feel My Legs,” Don Toliver
“After ‘Trina hit I had to transfer campus/Your apartment out in Houston’s where I waited” — “Nights,” Frank Ocean
“I should’ve moved you away from Houston before I copped you all this ice” — “Desires,” Drake and Future
“I’m rollin’ round H-Town/Where Texas man dem hold me down” — “H-town,” Dizzee Rascal, Bun B and Trae Tha Truth
“H-Town in my cup, OG in my blunt/Crenshaw on my shirt, German on my stunt” — “H-Town,” Nipsey Hussle
“His man called said, ‘Your time might be now/They played your freestlye over ‘Wipe Me Down’/They played it two times/Said it might be crowned/As the best thing out the H-Town in a while” — “Hip-Hop Saved My Life,” Lupe Fiasco
“Grew up on Bun B, Pimp C was my tutor/Pimp Squad for life, had to do this for Houston” — “HollyWeezy,” Lil Wayne
“Houstatlantavegas/And she dance to the song” — “Houstatlantavegas,” Drake
“I might need me some ventilation/A little vacation, Houstonfornication/Mind redefine new renovations” — “Houstonfornication,” Travis Scott
“You know we riding slab, with that candy paint/Dripping off the frame, down 288” — “H-Town Kinda Day, Z-Ro
“Francia, Colombia, Houston (Freeze)/J Balvin, Willy William, Beyoncé (Freeze)” — “Mi Gente (Beyoncé Remix),” J Balvin
“On my block, it’s just another day in the heart/Of the Southside of Houston Texas, making your mark” — “On My Block,” Scarface
“Time to start the revolution, catch a body, head for Houston” — “N.Y. State of Mind,” Nas
“Poolside in Houston/Tryna see if Beyoncé will take me for adoption/Broke-ass rich suburbs/A civilian shot in Third Ward, we just by the fountain” — “Sweet,” Brockhampton
“The good life, it feel like Houston” — “Good Life,” Kanye West and T-Pain
Check out our curated Houston playlist on Spotify (WARNING: Explicit content):
