Full Breakdown
DJ Screw’s June 27th Freestyle: From Underground Tape to Streaming Release
6/28/2026, 1:15:56 PM
The Defining Session
On June 27, 1996 DJ Screw recorded a 35-minute freestyle in his South Park house studio in Houston for the birthday of Screwed Up Click member Big DeMo. The eight participants—Big DeMo, Big Moe, Big Pokey, Yungstar, Key-C, Haircut Joe, Bird, and Kay-Luv—rapped over a slowed-down, chopped-and-screwed loop of Kris Kross’s “Da Streets Ain’t Right.” The tape, titled *Chapter 012: June 27th*, was first distributed on the July 4 weekend in Galveston.
Roots of the Screwed Sound
Robert Earl Davis, known as DJ Screw, was a 24-year-old Smithville native who invented the “chopped and screwed” method of cutting, scratching and slowing tracks to a syrupy tempo. The technique reshaped Houston hip-hop and later influenced national producers; Screw died of a codeine overdose in 2000 at age 29.
The Crew
Big DeMo served as the birthday honoree; Big Moe provided the intro and hooks; Big Pokey, Yungstar, Key-C, Haircut Joe, Bird, and Kay-Luv each delivered verses. Since the recording, Big Moe, Big Pokey, Haircut Joe have died, and Bird died on June 9 (year not given).
Release Timeline & Statistics
The track’s length is reported as 35 min 40 sec and as “nearly 36 min.” After circulating as bootlegs on YouTube, SoundCloud and DatPiff, the estate released *DJ Screw Originals Vol. 1* on Spotify and Apple Music on May 29, 2023, with three additional volumes scheduled for weekly release through early July, bringing four volumes to streaming.
Cultural Impact
The freestyle anchored the chopped-and-screwed sound as a hallmark of Houston’s “slab” culture and inspired slowed-down production beyond Texas. June 27 is observed as “DJ Screw Day,” recognizing the track’s role in the city’s musical identity and its influence on later artists such as Travis Scott and Swae Lee, who have referenced Screw in recent releases.
Official Estate Statement
The estate announced on May 29 that *DJ Screw Originals Vol. 1* would debut on major streaming services and that further archival releases would follow weekly through early July, aiming to make the catalog available without bootleg hunting.
Criticism & Opposition
One early listener recalled feeling distaste, describing the initial reaction as closer to distaste than enjoyment. The slow tempo and off-beat lines—such as Bird’s “IHOP” lyric—have been noted as obstacles for some listeners.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list the runtime as 35 min 40 sec and as “nearly 36 min,” a minor discrepancy. The schedule for releases after early July and the total number of archived tracks remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn’t like it.” — Author, personal reflection
- “I’m at IHOP eating some breakfast and some yams.” — Bird, lyric
- “Damn.” — Yungstar, lyric
- “June 27th was also named in honor of rapper Big DeMo’s birthday.” — Article text
What’s Next
The estate will continue weekly releases of additional volumes through early July 2023, expanding public access to Screw’s archive and sustaining the annual June 27 celebration.
