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| Back, L to R: Bar 5015’s Steve Rodgers , Amber Mostyn, Icon Honorees OG Ron C and Madd Hatta: Front: Michele McKnight (Photo Courtesy of Michele McKnight) |
Houston, Texas- The anniversary of a free style created by Houston’s Screwed Up Click (SUC) has become the cornerstone of an annual H-Town celebration of the city’s rich music history. In observance of that June 27th milestone, Houston-based radio personality Michelle McKnight (KTSU 90.9 FM, The Vibe) organized “For The Love of Screw-- Celebrating The Culture” to commemorate the birth of the iconic song “June 27th”. The recording, notable for its spontaneously-created lyrics, seamless beats, and impressive length, sprang from a 1996 gathering of original SUC members Big Moe, Bird, Demo, Key-C, Yungstar, Big Pokey, Haircut Joe, and K-Luv in rapper DJ Screw’s Houston home.
The 2023 celebration, staged at Bar 5015, included a performance by Yungstar (“Wanna Be A Baller”) who was joined by fellow recording artist Mista Madd (Texas Radio Hall of Famer Madd Hatta) to recreate the latter’s 1999 hit “Down South”.
The event also featured the introduction of the Houston Icon Awards, underwritten by Amber Mostyn and Mostyn Law, which honored DJ Michael 5000 Watts, Derrick “D-Reck” Dixon (Wreckshop Records), Lil KeKe, OG Ron C, Scarface, and the aforementioned Yungstar and Madd Hatta (Benjamin Thompson, III)
Additional highlights included a rap cypher challenge with celebrity judges Killa Kyleon, D- Reck, and Madd Hatta, as well as a special edition of Slab Karaoke, hosted by Houston-based podcaster Donnie Houston.
Reflecting on the importance of this date in Houston music history, event creator Michele McKnight said “As a person that’s a part of the Houston entertainment scene, I wanted to curate a memorable experience that represents Houston’s rich culture and pays homage to those that have made an impact nationwide. My goal is to make this an annual event and continue to expand.”
Houston Icon Awards supporter Amber Mostyn, co-founder of Mostyn Law, echoes McKnight’s sentiments about the relevance of Houston’s music scene. “The artists and performers who create the beats and the lyrics ‘gift us’ with a soundtrack for our life in Houston. Music connects us to the community and its history and remembering these seminal artists honors their contributions and raises the bar for those who would follow them.”
