Slim Thug :: Welcome to Texas EP

The title of Slim Thug’s “Welcome to Texas EP” is going to cause some confusion. It’s a good thing that “EP” is part of the name given that he has three mixtapes called “Welcome to Texas” and another album called “Welcome 2 Houston.” I’m happy that Slim Thug wants to welcome us though and both he and H-Town get nothing but love from me. Even when he’s not rapping over original beats, the results are fun to listen to. Unfortunately in the last ten years it seems like a lot of the industry forgot about him, because looking at his discography I don’t see anything that charted since 2017. Whether people pay attention or not he’s “Goin Hard” anyway.

“I’m ’bout to change my name to LL Thug/cause I’m the young Hogg all hoes wanna fuck.” Well it’s not exactly PG, but what did you exact from “The Boss” anyway? Slim Thug walks like a pimp, talks like a pimp, and in the intro of “Goin Hard” he even declares he’s “the pimp of all pimps and the player of all players.” If the lyrical equivalent of someone walking around like Iceberg Slim (undoubtedly the inspiration for much of his persona) bothers you, this isn’t your rapper. If you find entertainment in a braggadocious Texan whose drawl is as long as a summer day, then much like Rick Ross you’ve “Paid the Cost” to hear the boss.

One of the things I always appreciate about the Thugga is that beyond his exaggerated tall tale style, he has a genuine affection and respect for his fellow rappers from the scene. In fact the entirety of the chorus to “Throwed” samples the late Fat Pat‘s verse from “25 Lighters.” Between this the instrumental and chill instrumental I’m ready to put the top down and enjoy cruising around town. “Brother got connects from that Tex to Atlanta/The world is mine, call me Tony Montana.” If you’re going to brag, be as fly as Slim Thug when you do it.

The problem with “Welcome to Texas EP” is found right in its title — it’s an extended play(er). Listening to Slim Thug always makes me wants to listen to more Slim Thug, and nine songs totaling 34 minutes and change just isn’t enough. Still it’s like I always say when we go “Back to the Lab” for these releases — rappers used to put out EP releases that are longer than rap albums today. That’s certainly true here.