(August 8, 2023) For those of us who lived through the 90s, especially down south, there was no escaping the smoky, sex-laden harmonies of Darryl “G.I.” Jackson and twin brothers Keven “Dino” Conner and Solomon “Shazam” Conner, a trio of singers known as H-Town (named for their hometown of Houston TX). Endorsed by 2 Live Crew founder, Luther Campbell, Shazam, Dino and G.I. had an instant success with their debut single, "Knocking the Boots," reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and pumping out of countless car stereo systems and house parties.
Gritty, yet galvanizing, H-Town amassed three platinum and gold selling albums before its hit machine ground to a halt when its founder Dino was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2003. Although G.I.
(August 8, 2023) For those of us who lived through the 90s, especially down south, there was no escaping the smoky, sex-laden harmonies of Darryl “G.I.” Jackson and twin brothers Keven “Dino” Conner and Solomon “Shazam” Conner, a trio of singers known as H-Town (named for their hometown of Houston TX). Endorsed by 2 Live Crew founder, Luther Campbell, Shazam, Dino and G.I. had an instant success with their debut single, "Knocking the Boots," reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and pumping out of countless car stereo systems and house parties.
Gritty, yet galvanizing, H-Town amassed three platinum and gold selling albums before its hit machine ground to a halt when its founder Dino was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2003. Although G.I. and Shazam continued as a duo, Dino's vocals were last widely featured on the 2004 set, Imitations of Life," and fans believed it would be the last they would hear of him...until now, thanks to Shazam's upcoming solo debut solo and the inclusion of G.I. and the late Dino's vocals on "Strokey Doke."
A syrupy mid-tempo extolling the 'knocking of boots' matrimonial style, "Strokey-Doke" allows H-Town fans to indulge in a long-denied Dino fix, all the while underscoring Shazam's production contribution to the mix. It's got the double entendres, pumping and sexually-charged verses.......and honestly, "Strokey" couldn't it be an authentic H-Town jam without them.
With the passage of time, H-Town's catalog probably feels downright tame to younger listeners, but for us who remembered the playfully frisky trio and appreciate the emphasis on love, relationships and that Southern cadence that Shazam will definitely inject on his full-length set, "Strokey-Doke" will ease into your rotation reminding you that Shazam is still repping Houston to the fullest and has skills worth listening out for.
By Melody Charles