(October 13, 2020) Picture it: Spring, 1993. Wherever you were and whatever you were doing, you just couldn't escape: the 808, the intermittent keyboard chirps and the gutteral "Whoooooooa-oa-oa-oa..." The song was called "Knockin' Da' Boots" and the trio originated from Houston TX., hence their group's name. H-Town. From that moment forward, twin brothers Keven "Dino" Conner and Solomon "Shazam" Conner, along with their childhood friend, Darryl "G.I." Jackson, became the pride of the South Side, carving a niche for themselves in new-school R&B, dropping hit singles ("Emotions," "Thin Line Between Love and Hate," "Part Time Lover," "They Like It Slow"), lacing movie soundtracks and earning gold and platinum albums along the way.
(October 13, 2020) Picture it: Spring, 1993. Wherever you were and whatever you were doing, you just couldn't escape: the 808, the intermittent keyboard chirps and the gutteral "Whoooooooa-oa-oa-oa..." The song was called "Knockin' Da' Boots" and the trio originated from Houston TX., hence their group's name. H-Town. From that moment forward, twin brothers Keven "Dino" Conner and Solomon "Shazam" Conner, along with their childhood friend, Darryl "G.I." Jackson, became the pride of the South Side, carving a niche for themselves in new-school R&B, dropping hit singles ("Emotions," "Thin Line Between Love and Hate," "Part Time Lover," "They Like It Slow"), lacing movie soundtracks and earning gold and platinum albums along the way.
Unfortunately, the comeback from their long hiatus wasn't one they envisioned, since a hit and run car accident took the life of Dino, H-Town's co-founder and lead singer. 2004's Imitation of Life was their final full-fledged release as a trio and in his memory, Shazam and G.I. have continued to tour and record. Loyal fans from their heyday will enjoy their slinky bedroom-targeted groove, "Green Light 713," and featuring yet another platinum-selling Houston native, Lil' Flip.
One look at H-Town's catalog should tell you that passion and the get-down is their specialty in, so yes, that's what "Green Light 713" is all about...because G.I. and Shazam are ret' ta go and wants their ladies along for the ride: "Now it's getting dark outside, and the mood is really right/let me show you while I get it on, good love til' the early morn." Outside of sprinkling in extra bravado and variety, how you feel about rap is likely how you'll feel about Flip's verse----just right or too much. You decide.
Trends change, sounds evolve and nothing stays the same, but that doesn't mean you don't have a few H-Town faves in your playlist and can't make room for more. Most of us are still in lockdown mode and can only stream so much: what's wrong with putting that "Green Light 713" in rotation for your next moment of " Netflix (or whatever) and chill"?
By Melody Charles
H-Town - "Green Light 713"
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@lilflip713