The estate of the rapper, who was born Robert Earl Davis Jr., announced last week that his DJ Screw Originals (Volume 1) would be released on streaming, with additional projects that will be rolled out over the next five weeks of June, which is Black Music Month.
"This is for the fans who've always known and for those discovering him now," his estate said. "From a local legend to a global icon, his catalog will now be accessible everywhere - keeping his legacy alive one stream at a time."
RELATED: Chopped, screwed, and never forgotten. DJ Screw's legacy lives on
Chopped, screwed, and never forgotten. DJ Screw's legacy lives on.
According to our partners at the Houston Chronicle, most of DJ Screw's music was available only on physical tapes and via online uploads.
WHAT IS SCREW MUSIC?
It began as a local phenomenon in the Houston area during the early 90s with DJ Screw.
It is the combination of intentional repetition of a specific part of the song, which creates the "chopped" effect, and the "screwed" effect when the song is slowed or pitched. According to several accounts, Screw was on the turntables one day and accidentally hit a button that changed the song's pitch.
This "happy accident" led to the creation of "Screw Tapes," which DJ Screw and his friends sold, boosting his musical career and helping create a facet of Houston culture today: the Screwed Up Records & Tapes shop, located on West Fuqua Street.
DJ Screw's impact shaped Houston's identity in the hip-hop scene and put Texas culture on the map. His popularity and impact led to the merging of local and beloved Houston rappers into the legendary Screwed Up Click.
It was a loose collection of rappers in the Houston area in the 90s, including DJ Screw, Big Moe, Big Pokey, Fat Pat, H.A.W.K. (Hawk), Lil' Keke, and E.S.G. Other affiliated rappers had ties to Screwed Up Click, such as Z-Ro, Trae tha Truth, and Lil Flip.
The group also birthed the staple, 35-minute freestyle track, June 27th Freestyle. Each year, fans celebrate DJ Screw on June 27th, also known in Houston as DJ Screw Day.
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As of June 2, DJ Screw's catalog is now available for listening on streaming platforms.