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Paul Wall is taking the Houston sound national. Here’s a taste of what else the city’s hip-hop scene has to offer

HoustonSoReal

Late every Wednesday night, Matt Sonzala’s Damage Control radio show takes over the Houston airwaves, jamming everything from classic screw tapes to fresh cuts from the underground. Fortunately for those of us who need to, like, sleep, Sonzala posts the previous night’s show in MP3 form every Thursday on his HoustonSoReal blog.

K-OTIX

"GEORGE BUSH DOESN’T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE"

K-Otix ditches the diamonds and purple dranks that dominate Houston rap and goes straight for the political jugular. Ripping the title from a certain Kanye West statement and jacking the beat to the college dropout’s "Gold Digger," the Legendary KO speaks to the Commander In Chief directly: "Makin’ a killin’ off the price of gas/You woulda been up in Connecticut twice as fast."

THE WRECKSHOP FAMILY FEAT + MIKE JONES

"HOLL UP"

Since 1998, Derrick "DWreck" Dixon’s Wreckshop label (founded with late rapper Fat Pat) has been slangin’ the finest in underground Houston rap. This track, from 2004’s Doin’ It fa Texas comp, features Wreckshop regulars Big Moe and D-Gotti alongside Swishahouse breakaway Mike Jones.