I can remember the times, like yesterday! The year was 1999, and I was new to Houston. The atmosphere was electric, the women were beautiful, and the music scene in H-Town was unbelievable. If you’ve never been to Houston, you may not understand that the vibe is always on playa! Music rides in waves in Houston, and the wave riding the city was by Lil Keke! I mean from every bbq, to Kings Flea Market, barbershop, to every club, the talk was about that ‘Southside’. I’m referring to the lead track to Lil Keke 1989 album, “The Commission”. To say the song is a classic would be an understatement. To date, playing the song “Southside” in a club will almost cause a riot with people throwing up the “H” with one hand, and clutching their head with the other. That’s right folks; ‘Southside’ is a vibe that comes with its own movement. Folks, that’s what we record executives call a – Chain Reaction. A Chain Reaction, Yes Indeed. Today, just about every celebrity you can think of does the ‘Southside’ when they visit Houston on business.
Hold Up! ‘Southside’ was just the appetizer. To the surprise of many, the single ‘Southside’ from “The Commission” album from LIl Keke was just the tip of the iceberg. It is rare in music these days for an artist to drop a complete body of work. “The Commission”, produced by Double D, DJ Harvey Luv, Prowla and Sean “Solo” Jemison included 7-tracks from the previous “Don’t Mess Wit Texas” album and 7-new joints. Executive produced by Vincent Perry and Patrick Lewis, who would have thought “The Commission” album would be an Iconic staple in the culture of not only Texas, but worldwide. As we celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we have to pay respect and homage to LIl Keke and his contributions.
From ‘Southside’, to track 14, ‘Don’t Mess Wit Texas’, the entire album is a guide to living your best life. On a personal note, I would pop in “The Commission” disk, cruise the city, and lose all my problems in the rear view. “The Commission” was about hope and prosperity mixed with an array of style, charisma and straight up fire ass bars. “The Commission” album featured the legendary DJ Screw (r.i.p.), Fat Pat (r.i.p.), Herschelwood Hardheadz, Madd Hatta, Phaz, Knocky, Mobb Figgaz, and Head from the Botany Boyz. The album is a timeless project that till this day, stays in my playlist rotation. In 2022, the Houston Astros won the MLB Championship and the City of Houston celebrated in emphatic fashion. The patrons of H-Town came out in celebration and guess what, Lil Keke “The Commission” album was the unofficial soundtrack. From cars, cabarets, clubs, and juke joints, the echoes of ‘Southside’ blarred out like a siren; shouting the jubilation of success.
“The Commission” album by Marcus Edwards, “LIl Keke”, will forever hold its place as a true masterpiece that defines life in the South for those on the come up. The single “Still Pimpin Pens” featuring the legendary Dj Screw, produced by “Solo” is still a monumental track that is slowed and screwed. The track is the track that is a pimp-a-rific track that sets the tone. On ‘Comin’ Down’ featuring Phaz, produced by Double D is that “get ready for the club song”! The track takes you there, from 0-100 real quick! The vibe is authentic!
Today, Lil Keke is regarded as a bona-fide legend! To date, Lil Keke has dropped 16 more studio albums and countless collab albums with some of the biggest names in the industry. Besides music, Lil Keke is a businessman and a entrepreneur who owns his own fashion line. In 2016, Lil Keke was recognized by by the City of Houston and former President Barack Obama for his dedication and community service. Lil Keke new album ….. “25 Summers” coming soon 5/23
“The Commission” was the engine that has sparked a generation and culture! Lil Keke is LEGEND!!!
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Southside“ | Double D | 4:53 |
| 2. | “Baller in the Mix” (featuring Herschelwood Hardheadz) | Double D | 4:16 |
| 3. | “Gettin’ Paid” | Prowler | 4:45 |
| 4. | “Pimps, Players & Hustlas” (featuring Fat Pat & Herschelwood Hardheadz) | Prowler | 4:29 |
| 5. | “Still Pimpin Pens (Screwed)” (featuring DJ Screw) | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 4:04 |
| 6. | “Don’t You Know” (featuring Madd Hatta & Phaz) | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 4:04 |
| 7. | “It’s Going Down” | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 3:57 |
| 8. | “Fo Sure” (featuring Herschelwood Hardheadz) | D.J. Harvee Luv | 3:46 |
| 9. | “Comin’ Down” (featuring Phaz) | Double D | 4:21 |
| 10. | “In the Door” (featuring Mobb Figgaz) | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 3:47 |
| 11. | “Paper Money” | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 4:24 |
| 12. | “Bounce and Turn” (featuring Phaz) | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 4:24 |
| 13. | “Wise Guys” (featuring Mobb Figgaz) | Sean “Solo” Jemison | 4:34 |
| 14. | “Don’t Mess Wit Texas” (featuring Head & Knocky) | Sean “Solo” Jemison |
Lil Keke Music
