Every year it gets harder to believe that 10 years ago was, well, 10 years ago. “Wait, 2007 was 10 years ago? What the f*ck?!” Yes it was, and these are a couple of songs that were total heat rocks back in the day. If there are any takeaways here, it would be that Southern culture had as tight a hold on rap a decade ago as it does today. What’s different now is AF1s and XXXXL white tees have been replaced with Versace robes and Gucci flip flops.
Shop Boyz, “Party Like A Rockstar”
The South’s stronghold on Rap in the mid-aughts included tunes from Shop Boyz. “Party Like A Rockstar” was such a huge number that the earworm earned the group a Best Rap performance By a Duo or Group Grammy nomination. You can even go as far as to say these guys were Migos before Migos.
Cassidy, “My Drink N’ My Two Step”
Cassidy found great success with the 2003 “Hotel” and 2005 megahit “I’m A Hustla,” which he probably is still cashing checks for. But do you remember “My Drink N’ My Two Step”? It was his first single after spending eight months in jail for manslaughter and suffering injuries from a car wreck.
Playaz Circle, “Duffle Bag Boy”
Before he switched his name up, 2 Chainz was Titty Boy, one-half of Playaz Circle. The duo blazed the charts in ’07 with the Lil Wayne-assisted street anthem, “Duffle Bag Boy.”
Crime Mob, “Circles”
After giving us the fight anthem, “Knuck If You Buck,” just a few years prior, Crime Mob returned with their second album, Hated On Mostly which featured the relationship-y track, “Circles.”
Huey, “Pop, Lock and Drop It”
Huey had girls nationwide pop, lock and droppin’ it with his simple song of (almost) the same name. Fun fact! Now 30 years old, Huey is signed to Waka Flocka’s Brick Squaaaaad label.
Rich Boy, “Throw Some D’s”
Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s” may very well be one of the most remixed rap songs of all time with everybody who had a mic delivering a remix to the hit record. None beats the official one featuring Nelly, Murphy Lee, Jim Jones, The Game and Andre 3000. Boy, what a hodge-podge of a lineup that was. And it worked!
Mims, “This Is Why I’m Hot”
New York Rap took an “If you can’t beat em, join em approach!” in 2007 when rapper Mims dropped “This Is Why I’m Hot.” The song became Mims’ only hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a week back in March.
Hurricane Chris, “Ay Bay Bay”
Another fun fact! Did you know Hurricane Chris’ “Ay Bay Bay” was a shout out to his DJ, DJ Hollyhood Bay Bay? I didn’t. Mostly because I wasn’t keeping up with the local Louisiana rap scene in 2007. Hurricane Chris’ smash was the bop, though!
DJ Unk, “Walk It Out”
On top of being peak ringtone rap era, the 2000s also meant a bunch of dance crazes. DJ Unk’s “Walk It Out” was definitely one of them. “Now Eastside walk it out….” Aye! 2007 was also a good year because like he did on “Throw Some D’s,” Andre 3000 also hopped on Unk’s hit for a remix.
Yung Berg, “Sexy Lady”
He may be the but of jokes now after allegedly getting his jaw rocked and his chain snatched, but Yung Berg had a legit club banger with “Sexy Lady” featuring singer Junior.
Fonzworth Bentley, “Everybody”
Remember when Fonzworth Bentley transitioned from Puff Daddy’s manservant to a rapper? With the help of Kanye West and Andre 3000, that was a thing that totally happened in 2007. And Fonzworth may have been ahead of his time because a decade later, and the “Everybody” video looks like one of those “pics or it didn’t happen” scenarios.
