Bun B, Trae Tha Truth, Paul Wall & More Reflect on George Floyd's Contributions to Houston Hip-Hop

In a new Rolling Stone feature, Texas legends share their own memories on George Floyd.

George Floyd’s death has left an indelible mark on the United States over the past few weeks. His past affiliation with Texas’ Screwed Up Click has led legends in the hip-hop community including Bun B, Trae Tha Truth, Cal Wayne, Paul Wall, and others to reflect on Floyd’s contributions for Rolling Stone. Floyd’s involvement in the scene included being featured on numerous records by the late DJ Screw. 

Though Bun B has never met Floyd, he shared his death impacted him immensely. "This Friday was the first day that my own son had to come to the realization that, as a father of black children, something could happen to his children in this world just because they’re black," Bun B said. "It actually brought me to tears for him, having that realization."

Bun B added, “It automatically ties him to a legendary legacy,” when touching on Floyd contributing to DJ Screw's cult classic mixtapes. “By having that level of proximity to DJ Screw you are automatically afforded a certain status in the city of Houston and held in high regard.”

Paul Wall on Floyd and his involvement in Houston’s rap community:

"[Floyd] would rap on tapes, but you would also hear other rappers say his name on tapes. Big Pokey saying something about Big Floyd. Lil’ Keke saying something about Big Floyd. Mike D saying something about Big Floyd."

According to the expansive Rolling Stone feature, Big Floyd was raised in Houston’s Third Ward. He moved to Minneapolis in 2014 in hopes of attaining a better life. Throughout his time in Texas, he became friends with Trae. Their relationship held strong even as Trae faced scrutiny for a shooting that took place at Texas Southern University in 2009 at Trae’s second Trae Day.

Trae Tha Truth on his relationship with Floyd:

"I was banned from radio worldwide. It will make 11 years this year. At a point, a lot of people left. They didn’t want to talk to me. They didn’t want to have no affiliation, because I was going through a tough time as far as being blackballed. He randomly on his own went to protesting himself and doing videos saying everything that Trae do for the community; y’all trying to stop him and it’s not right. He always spoke up for what’s right, even when young dudes in the neighborhood may be doing some stuff that ain’t cool. When there was a lot of killing going on throughout our city, he would always speak up, like, ‘This ain’t the way.’"

Both Trae and Bun B have been active on social media paying tribute to Floyd following his death. Per Complex, they both orchestrated a march in Houston’s Third Ward which garnered 60,000 supporters who demanded justice for Floyd and other victims of police violence. 

"I'm calling all neighborhood heroes, all neighborhood big homies, all OGs, all community activists, community leaders," Trae shared in an Instagram video speaking on the march. "... Today, everybody gonna be held accountable ... [Floyd's family] want to do it peaceful and make this a beautiful event. And we gotta honor our word ... Anybody of us get mistreated, we're gonna stand up and we gonna step on that. Anybody come out there trying to just be reckless and cause damage for no reason ... we're gonna hold them accountable right then and there. The goal of the day is to show the nation, man, we stand what George stand for ... George was real humble and a person of love."

Head to Rolling Stone to read the entire feature.