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Few songs withstand time, distinguished by their infectious beats, experimental sounds, poignant lyrics or enduring appeal, rendering them as classics. In partnership with Tres Generaciones Tequila, a brand that champions the journey and not just the destination, weâre on a exploration to roundup the top Get Up Anthems over this next year from these six cities: Houston, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. Guided by curated panels, we delve deep into each cityâs sonic history, spotlighting tracks that embody resilience, authenticity, and innovation and celebrate the power music has to inspire listeners to get up and chase their passions, in the spirit of perseverance.
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The Top 10 Get Up Anthems from Houston were crafted through a blend of editorial expertise, data-driven analytics, social impact and personal sentiment, to create a ranked list of the songs which inspired, captivated, and energized the Bayou City. In a historical dive from 1973 to present day, the cityâs playlist [click HERE to play] features hometown hits that are synonymous with the cityâs rich history and culture, hand selected by Houstonâs very own, Bun B. and Chase B, Billboard editors, Damien Scott and Cat Johnson, and moderated by Rocsi Diaz.
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Did they get it right? Or were they off the mark?
Take a look at the Top 10 Get Up Anthems for Houston:
10. âMind Playing Tricks on Meâ â Geto Boys (1991)
Known for its haunting piano loop, gritty production, and raw, introspective lyrics, âMind Playing Tricks on Meâ epitomizes the distinct sound and storytelling prowess of the Geto Boys, off of their 1991 album, We Canât Be Stopped. The record pushed the album to reach No. 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spent three-weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, No. 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 23 on the Hot 100 and went on to influence Kid Cudiâs No. 3 Hot 100 hit âDay âNâ Nite.â The song still pulls an average of 750,000 streams a week since last summer.
Bun B.: âThis record not only set the tone for us musically, but also business wise, that you donât have to run in New York, you donât have to go to L.A., you donât need nobody. You can do it right here in Houston. That set the tone for us.â
Chase B.: âI was born in 1990. The song came out in 91, and, literally I was out just running around on Saturday, just going to different brunches and whatever different, DJ sets and everything and I mustâve heard that song 6 or 7 times.â
9. âSavage (Remix)â â Megan the Stallion feat. BeyoncĂ© (2020)
Bringing together two of Houstonâs prominent female voices, the remix not only propelled Megan Thee Stallion to greater prominence but also showcased the enduring influence and talent of Houstonâs homegrown artists on the global stage. The songâs infectious beats, catchy hooks, and confident delivery epitomize the trademark styles of both artists, creating a synergy that captivates listeners. To no surprise, the song gave Megan her first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 and BeyoncĂ©âs first in almost three years. It was the No. 1 on Streaming Songs, spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, No. 1 on Rhythmic Airplay and No. 7 on Pop Airplay. The song still pulls an average of 1.5 â 1.75 million streams a week since last summer.
BB.: âI think itâs also a good look for Houston women in particular. Once again, BeyoncĂ© understands the platform and understands her power and passes that on to the next generation of Houston representatives for the women.â
Cat Johnson: âSo it was Meganâs first number one [on the Hot 100] and BeyoncĂ©âs first number one in almost three years, which is a big deal. Like Megan did that for BeyoncĂ© in a sense. The song also pulls an average of 1.5 to 1.75 million streams a week.â
Damien Scott: ât was a massive moment, and Meg was on the rise. And as Bun said, this was BeyoncĂ© passing it forward to the next generation, handing her the baton. And, you know, not just for her being a major, black female musician, but someone from her hometown.â
Rocsi Diaz: â I think that what Megan did for BeyoncĂ© was bring out more fun out of BeyoncĂ©, I think she gave her the liberty to really go down and drop, although we were already dropping down on our knees.â
8. âGet Throwedâ â Bun B feat. Pimp C, Jeezy, JAY-Z and Z-Ro (2005)
Crafted with Bun Bâs signature lyrical prowess and accompanied by infectious beats, the 2005 hit record, âGet Throwedâ from the legendâs debut album Trill, embodies the chopped and screwed style synonymous with Houstonâs rap culture. Featuring collaborations with fellow Houston legends Pimp C, Z-Ro, and Young Jeezy, the song seamlessly blends gritty realism with infectious energy, creating a sonic landscape sure for a crowd favorite. Since its release, it peaked at No. 49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 24 on Rap Airplay.v
R.D: â First of all, can I say thatâs one of my favorite songs? And thatâs not because youâre sitting here thatâs just like as a song.â
C.B: â just when you hear those guitars in the intro, thatâs like one of the most important fabrics in Houston culture, just, in general, and itâs been sampled so many times just because of what it means and just the whole aura of it, the atmosphere of the sound and just how slow it comes in. And also just the title of the song, throwed is obviously a huge Houston word, you know, born and bred right here in Houston, Texas.â
7. â25 Lightersâ â Fat Pat, DJ DMD & Lil Keke (2001)
The songâs laid-back vibe and infectious groove capture the essence of Houstonâs street culture, while its evocative lyrics pay homage to the cityâs unique slang and traditions. Released in 1998, although the song didnât chart nationally, the track became an instant classic within the cityâs rap scene, embodying the spirit of Houstonâs underground culture.
B.B.: â Itâs so Houston that ZZ Top remade the record. And I donât mean a play on the record, they literally redid the record just singing instead of rap. And I mean ZZ Top, weâre talking about Texas. Weâre talking about Houston. Itâs a big deal.â
C.J: âThe song didnât chart, but on a national level though, youâve heard â25 lighters.â
Damien: âItâs one of those songs thatâs just like an indelible part of the fabric of of hip hop. Itâs. Everyone knows it. Everyone you know has either recited it or used it or remixed it or sampled it. Itâs just one of those songs.â
R.D.: âIt was a victim of the timing of when it came out that it just didnât make it outside of the South. Per se, charting wise, but again, to piggyback on what you said, like, itâs just a classic hip-hop song.â
B.B.: âThis was like us getting to hear Pat again after him passing â like new music. That was a big part of this record being as big as it was, like as far as Houston.â
6. âWanna Be a Ballerâ â Lilâ Troy feat. Yungsta, Fat Pat, Lilâ Will, Hawk, and Big T (1999)
Serving as an anthem for ambition and perseverance, âWanna Be a Ballerâsâ portrayal of the hustle and dreams of making it big resonates deeply with Houstonians, reflecting the cityâs entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success. As the fourth track on the album, Sittinâ Fat Down South, it helped propel the albumâs success, reaching No. 6 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 20 on the Billboard 200. Lilâ Troyâs melodic delivery and vivid storytelling paint a vivid picture of the cityâs street life and aspirations for success, making it an instant favorite among listeners, still pulling an average of 1.25 million streams a week since last summer. The record peaked at No. 5 on Rap Airplay, No. 31 on Hot Rap Songs, No. 70 on the Hot 100 No. 22 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
B.B.: âItâs unmistakably Houston recipeâs big team. One of the best hooks ever to come out of Houston. That independent spirit, right? Lilâ Troy is one of the first people to have an independent label here. The original person to find and sign Scarface and, I mean, âWanna Be a Ballerâ was a hit record as soon as anybody heard it.â
C.J.: âCrazy fact. It still pulls an average of 1.25 million streams a week.â
D.S.: âItâs one of those songs that you hear every year. At least once. If you go to, like a basketball game or, you know, a festival or you watch a movie.â
5. âSouthsideâ â Lilâ Keke (1997)
Off of his 1997 debut album, Donât Mess With Texas, âSouthsideâ by Lilâ Keke stands as a timeless ode to Houstonâs hip-hop culture through its authentic lyrics and enduring impact on the cityâs social fabric. Both the title of the song AND album quickly suggests to listeners Houstonian pride, remaining a cherished part of the cityââs musical identity. The song reached No. 28 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and No. 55 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Bun B: âKeke is as Houston a person as you can get. And Iâm not talking about music, lyrics or rapping. Any day you sit and talk to Keke and see his personality, his character, heâs Houston, all right.â
D.S.: âI think if this was released later in the time of streaming, it would be a way bigger hit and it would, it would dominate, it would be on every playlist. It would be way, way higher on the hip hop chart, would probably be on the pop charts. It was just a massive song. And you hear it everywhere, itâs one of those songs again that everybody, if youâre a rap fan of a certain age, you just know it. Everyoneâs used to it, everyone knows where itâs from. They know Keke. This is a classic record.â
C.B.: âThis is the only song from Houston that has a dance attached to it. And to that, I feel like, is an anthem.â
4. âTops Dropâ â Fat Pat (1998)
Fat Patâs vivid storytelling creates a sonic experience that resonates with listeners, capturing the essence of cruising through Houstonâs streets and slab culture. The songâs portrayal of Houstonâs car culture and laid-back lifestyle resonates deeply. The record reached No. 5 on Hot Rap Songs and its parent album Ghetto Dreams reached the top 40 of Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, peaking at No. 39.
C.B.: ââWelcome to the land where just donât stop is:â I feel like that just embodies where we are, where weâre from. Thatâs, you know, MLK on Sundays. Thatâs this. You really can see the sunshine and old schools and slab lines, you can envision the whole thing when it comes to that song. And, you know.â
B.B.: âThe song is a testament to how much Houston loves its hip hop community, and some of us here, as we talked about earlier, will never have nationally celebrated records. But because weâre a part of certain records, that represent the culture of Houston.â
C.J.: âThe song is in a major retailer commercial in 2024. And the fact that, again, people from all across America, maybe even the world are going to be re-introduced to the song via this commercial, itâs amazing â iconic.â
3. âStill Tippinââ â Mike Jones feat Slim Thug and Paul Wall (2005)
Released in 2004, the song propelled Mike Jones to national fame while showcasing Houstonâs unique rap style and culture to a broader audience. This would become each artistâs first entry to the Hot 100 charts, peaking at No. 60 and No. 25 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Built on a mesmerizing beat, catchy hooks, and Mike Jonesâ distinctive flow, âStill Tippinâ captures the essence of Houstonâs rap scene in the early 2000s and since last August, the song still pulls in 1 â 1.25 million weekly streams on average.
D.S.: â Itâs just rare that you get to witness a watershed moment in music. Yeah. You know, itâs rare that you get to be present for it and see it. And a lot of people at the time donât may not understand whatâs happening. But I think with this, everyone who was watching and listening thought to themselves, this is the start of something new.â
Roxy: âIt stayed on the countdown, thatâs for sure. Just stayed on the countdown.â
2. âMo City Donâ â Z-Ro (2005)
The 6-minute freestyle, âMo City Donâ by Z-Ro holds a revered place within Houstonâs hip-hop pantheon, embodying the ethos and experiences of Mo City (Missouri City), a suburb of Houston. The composition is marked by its raw authenticity and emotional depth and the songâs production features haunting melodies and a hypnotic beat that serves as the backdrop for Z-Roâs introspective and impassioned lyrics. Although there wasnât any noticeable charting activity for the song, the influence of this song is undeniable. As the opening track on Let The Truth Be Told, the localized success of the record contributed to the album reaching No. 5 on Top Rap Albums and No. 14 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
C.B.: âFirst of all, as a loud and proud Missouri City for my entire life, this song is another testament of how well Houston artists flip samples as songwriters, not even necessarily the beats, but as songwriters and just take it our own thing. Growing up in a house party, that middle school, high school and everything, this was our chance to, like, kind of, like, represent where we were from, and it belonged to us.â
B.B: On a daily basis. On an hourly basis. There is no record in Houston, I think in 2024 that more people will agree represent Houston than âMo City Donâ
1. âJune 27thâ â DJ Screw (1996)
You cannot debate Texas music and fail to mention DJ Screwâs chooped and screwed technique. The 1996, 38-minute freestyle evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection, characterized by its hypnotic tempo, slowed-down rhythms, and manipulated vocal effects. Through its unconventional structure and immersive atmosphere, âJune 27thâ captures the essence of DJ Screwâs artistic vision and his deep connection to the city he called home and although it never charted due to its non-commercial release, the 38-minute freestyle is a hometown beloved.
B.B: âYouâd be hard pressed to find something that represents Houston culture, to a myriad of people right across the board, that this song doesnât really speak to.â
C.B: âI just feel like if youâre going to pick a Chopped and Screw song, this is obviously the one to do it. And I feel like Chopped and Screw music definitely should be represented on the list. So I feel like June 27th, this is like its purpose right here.â
Watch the full discussion HERE and recreate the cocktails that powered the conversation at home!
Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and the first stop is Houston, Texas. In conversation with Rocsi Diaz, Houston natives Bun B and Chase B sat with Billboardâs Damien Scott and Cat Johnson to curate their top 10 Get Up Anthems for Houston. The list includes songs that inspired and energized their city, by Houston artists, presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila.Bun B:All right, look, Iâm gonna just, Iâm gonna just throw it out there because somebodyâs got to say, this is No. 1.
Cat Johnson:One?
Bun B:Iâm gonna let yâall argue this with me. Iâm gonna let you argue this, but there is no record in Houston, I think, in 2024 that more people will agree represent Houston.
Rosci Diaz:Hi, Iâm Rosci Diaz, and Iâm on a journey with Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila to celebrate and toast the power music has to inspire us. Together, weâre setting out to curate the official Get Up Anthems for cities across the country. Weâre going to be crowning those iconic tracks which have inspired, captivated and energized each cityâs essence. And first up, The Bayou City, Houston, Texas. Thanks, Cliff.
Joining me is none other than the legendary rapper and entrepreneur, Bun B, whose lyrics have shaped the very essence of Houstonâs rap scene. Alongside him we have acclaimed DJ and music producer Chase B, whose electrifying sets have ignited stages worldwide. And letâs not forget Billboardâs very own Damien Scott and Cat Johnson, whose editorial insight and passion for music have illuminated countless narratives within the industry.
So a few weeks ago, we all met up to start the process of identifying the cityâs official Get Up Anthems. We started using Billboardâs charts and the data that they have and use it as a springboard to narrow âŠÂ Watch the full video above!
Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and the first stop is Houston, Texas. Ahead of the curated list, in this âMan on the Street,â we tapped Houston locals to help share some of their favorite hometown hits that have inspired and energized their city, including âSavage Remixâ by Megan Thee Stallion featuring BeyoncĂ© and artists like Bun B, Pimp C and more! Be sure to check out the official Get Up Anthems for Houston presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila.
Tetris Kelly:
Itâs Tetris. Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila have partnered up to find the biggest Get Up Anthem in each city? Today weâre in Houston, the home of barbecue and southern wraps, and we ask the locals which bops inspire and energize this city. Okay, so weâre putting together the Top 10 Get Up Anthems in Houston by people in Houston. So what do you think should be on that list?
Local #1
I think âWanna Be A Ballerâ is a cult classic.Â
Tetris Kelly:
Are you a baller?Â
Local #1:
Oh you know it.
Tetris Kelly:
Okay I was just checking.Â
Local #2:
Pimp C. Itâs all Pimp C.
Tetris Kelly:Â
Anything Pimp C is representing the city right?
Local #2:
Yeah!
Local #3:
My opinion, DeeBaby is killing the game right now. Him and That Mexican OT. Yea
Tetris Kelly:
This man is giving me so much knowledge right now.
Local #4:
I want to say Beyonce because sheâs from Houston, Texas. Hey, no, Hold âem.
Tetris Kelly:
I gotta know whatâs your Houston anthem?Â
Local #5:
âSavageâ by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce.
Tetris Kelly:
Oh I knew it.
Local #5
H-Town hotties!
Tetris Kelly:
Oh I was told Tres is for the hotties.Â
Local #6
We got Tejano, we got Spanish, RnB, itâs a little bit of everything. Iâm a Bun B baby though, Iâm a Bun B baby
Local #7
For me itâs gonna be that âGet throwedâÂ
Tetris Kelly:
Oh Bun B!
Keep watching to learn more!
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