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The Showboys’ “Drag Rap” AKA Triggerman: The Forgotten Record That Built Southern Rap


The story of one of the most influential records in Southern rap history doesn’t begin in the South. Instead, it starts in 1986 on a side street in Hollis, Queens—a hip-hop hotbed that gave us legends like Russell Simmons, Run-D.M.C., and LL Cool J. Amidst this iconic scene, two teenagers, Orville Hall (Can Can) and Phillip Price (Phil D), known as The Showboys, were chasing their next hit. Their creation, "Drag Rap," would transcend their local roots to become a cornerstone of Southern rap, forever altering its trajectory.

From Hollis Streets to Southern Roots

Hall’s inspiration struck as he left home and overheard the Dragnet theme on TV. Blending its distinct melody with their love for Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show,” the duo improvised in a Jeep, turning the vehicle’s hollow top into a makeshift drum. Just 20 minutes later, “Drag Rap” was born—a six-minute story rap that mimicked a procedural TV show, complete with commercial breaks featuring Wendy’s iconic “Where’s the beef?” slogan and an Irish Spring whistle suggested by Jam Master Jay.


With support from Profile Records, The Showboys polished their track at Manhattan’s Greene Street Recording studio. Debuting on Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack compilation, “Drag Rap” briefly rocked New York airwaves before vanishing into obscurity. For Hall and Price, the dream seemed over. But unbeknownst to them, the song was taking root in the South, where it was rechristened Triggerman.


Triggerman’s Southern Renaissance

While “Drag Rap” faded in New York, Memphis DJ Spanish Fly discovered the track on a whim, drawn by his trust in Profile Records. The song’s 808s and hard-hitting beats captivated Fly, who began incorporating it into mixtapes and productions like “Smokin’ Onion.” In Memphis, Triggerman became the soundtrack to the city’s gangsta walk, a chaotic dance that mirrored the song’s aggressive energy. It resonated with local artists like 8Ball & MJG, Project Pat, and Yo Gotti, laying the groundwork for the city’s gangsta rap, crunk, and trap music scenes.


Simultaneously, New Orleans found its own rhythm with Triggerman. Local pioneers like MC T. Tucker and DJ Irv reimagined its syncopated 808s in “Where Dey At?” The track’s infectious beat sparked the rise of bounce music, characterized by its celebratory energy and signature “pussy pop” dance. Over decades, Triggerman became the lifeblood of bounce, influencing global hits like Drake’s “Nice For What.”


A Hidden Blueprint for Hip-Hop

Unlike headline-grabbing hits, Triggerman became a foundational record, akin to James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” in its influence. Its 160+ documented samples—likely undercounted—demonstrate its pervasive impact. Southern producers embraced its versatile elements: the xylophone flourish, syncopated rhythms, and distinctive vocal exclamations (“Yes!” and “Alright!”). These features made it a “roux” for countless subgenres, as bounce icon Big Freedia aptly noted.

Despite its cultural resonance, the record’s creation was almost accidental. Hall and Price experimented with an 808 drum machine in the studio, layering percussion over a whimsical xylophone melody. What they called “the bones” became a defining feature of Triggerman, a testament to their innovative spirit.

Legacy of an Overlooked Classic

Though The Showboys didn’t reap immediate fame, their work echoes through the annals of hip-hop history. From Memphis’s gritty storytelling to New Orleans’s vibrant bounce scene, Triggerman bridged genres and geographies, proving that even a forgotten New York track could redefine the sound of an entire region. Today, its influence remains unmistakable, cementing its place as both a relic and a living testament to hip-hop’s boundless creativity.


As Hall and Price reflect on their creation, they may not have anticipated its far-reaching impact. But in crafting Drag Rap, they unknowingly built a legacy—a foundational beat that continues to move feet and shape beats across the globe.

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