Who Was DJ Screw? The Pioneer For "Chopped and Screwed" Style of Music

In the rich tapestry of American hip-hop, few names hold as much cultural weight in the South as DJ Screw, born Robert Earl Davis Jr. A native of Smithville, Texas, and raised in Houston, DJ Screw redefined the soundscape of hip-hop by pioneering the chopped and screwed technique—a slowed-down, syrupy style that became emblematic of Houston's underground scene and, eventually, its mainstream influence.

DJ Screw began experimenting with music as a child, inspired by the breakdancing film Breakin’ and his mother's old turntable. By the age of 12, he was already scratching records, unknowingly laying the groundwork for a subgenre that would become a cornerstone of Southern hip-hop.

What began as simple experimentation quickly evolved into something groundbreaking. By the early 1990s, DJ Screw had perfected his signature sound—slowing down the tempo of popular tracks, chopping them up with record scratches and skips to create a hypnotic, melancholic vibe that was both jarring and beautiful.

His early chopped-and-screwed mixtapes, initially distributed hand-to-hand, exploded in popularity across Houston. These tapes gave rise to the Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.), a collective of Houston rappers and DJs including legends like Lil’ Keke, Fat Pat, Big Moe, E.S.G., and Big Pokey. The S.U.C. became a movement, and DJ Screw’s name was its flag.

He would go on to release over 350 mixtapes, turning his unique sound into an empire. His storefront, Screwed Up Records and Tapes, became a Houston landmark and cultural hub for fans and aspiring artists.

On November 16, 2000, DJ Screw died from a codeine overdose at the age of 29. The loss was devastating to the hip-hop community, especially in Houston, where he was revered not just as a DJ, but as a visionary and leader. His death also brought national attention to the dangers of codeine-promethazine syrup, commonly known as “lean,” a drug deeply associated with the slowed-down music he helped popularize.

Despite his untimely passing, DJ Screw’s influence only grew. Artists like Drake, A$AP Rocky, Bun B, and Travis Scott have cited Screw as a major influence. His posthumous album, 3 'n the Mornin' (Part Two), remains a staple of Houston hip-hop and was hailed by the Houston Press as one of the city’s best rap albums ever.

Texas Governor Rick Perry even recognized DJ Screw as an official Texas Music Pioneer, a rare and powerful acknowledgment of his cultural contribution.

DJ Screw’s legacy is celebrated annually at DJ Screwfest, a music festival and car show that draws thousands of fans, also known as “screwheads.” And with the upcoming biopic “All Screwed Up”, his story is poised to reach new audiences, cementing his place in hip-hop history.

DJ Screw wasn’t just a DJ—he was a cultural architect, a sound innovator, and a Houston hero. His chopped and screwed technique altered the pace of hip-hop forever, and his voice still echoes in the genre’s deepest corners.

In the words of many who knew and admired him, Robert Earl Davis Jr. wasn’t just Screwed Up—he was ahead of his time.

Follow DJ Screw's legacy and learn more through his historic mixtapes and commemorations by the Screwed Up Click and Houston’s hip-hop community. His music may be slowed down, but his influence? Forever timeless.