Classic Hip Hop Samples: The Showboys’ “Drag Rap”

When I got to “Clap For Em” on Lil Wayne’s bew album Funeral, it sounded very familiar, mostly because it samples Travis Porter’s “Ayy Ladies.” “Ayy Ladies” is itself, a sample of “Drag Rap (Trigger Man)” by The Showboys. At that point, I’d entered the rabbit hole.

According to WhoSampled.com, “Drag Rap” has been sampled more than 150 times. Travis Porter’s hit “Ayy Ladies” samples “Bitches (Reply)” by DJ Jimi. Jimi also sampled Drag Rap. This means, by the Transitive Property of Equality (thank you geometry), that Porter (and 31 other artists including Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Kid Cudi, Project Pat with Three 6 Mafia, Lupe Fiasco, and Megan Thee Stallion) have sampled Drag Rap.

Geographically, Drag Rap is very popular in the South. 3 Six Mafia (as well as both DJ Paul and Juicy J as solo artists), Project Pat, Lil Wayne, Lil Jon, Master P, and Big KRIT all have used Drag Rap at least twice. Chronologically, it has been used across rap eras consistently since at least the early 90s. The sounds The Showboys put together on Drag Rap have been a crucial part of the development of the Southern Rap musical palette since it’s beginnings. It’s probably one of a handful of songs that hold such a venerable position in the genre. Drag Rap and the Showboys have been contributing to Southern Rap as the genre transitioned from overlooked underdog to mainstream tastemaker. Grammys and Oscars came. Fame and fortune came. Even today’s overarching version of hip-hop, Trap, developed from Southern Rap. Show some appreciation today to The Showboys for their contribution to art. Not only did they create in their own time, but they continue to ripple across time, helping to move hip-hop forward.

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Michael Stroneski, editor at mvsicthovght, has started several blogs and multi-media projects you’ve never seen. He is a life-long cheerleader for Connecticut and underground music. You can reach him at contact@mvsicthovght.com.