Comparing four takes on the same crack-rap anthem
1. Playa Fly / Lil Fly — Slangin’ Rocks Pt. II (c. 1994)
This is the one most fans call the original vibe. Lil Fly (then often credited as Lil’ Fly or Playa Fly) was entrenched in the early Memphis underground scene and his Out Da Darkness Of Da Kut material comes from around 1994 — that’s when Pt. II was reportedly recorded and circulated on tapes.
Why it matters
This version feels raw and unpolished in the best way. It’s the sound of hustlers turning real street tales into hypnotic loops and cadences. The beat is dirt-cheap, the hook is repeated like a mantra, and Fly’s delivery is authentic because it was authentic — he hadn’t yet been polished into anything commercial.
Best for: diehard Memphis rap heads and anyone who thinks compressed MP3s from 1990s tapes are part of the artistic intent.
2. DJ Paul — Slangin’ Rocks Pt. 1 (mid-1990s)
Most of what gets called “DJ Paul’s version” stems from his underground tape catalog — specifically Vol. 16 and other DJ Paul mixtapes from the mid-90s. While there’s no official release date floating around in major databases, the general consensus among collectors is that it predates the formal Project Pat version and sits somewhere in that 1994–1996 range.
Why it matters
DJ Paul’s production gives it that signature Hypnotize Minds swirl: murky drums, weird vocal echoes, and a hypnotic loop that’s less chaotic than the Fly tape but more cohesive. Paul often interpolates Fly’s lyrics but rearranges and recontextualizes them — essentially turning the same mantra into a theme song for the tape era.
Best for: fans of early Three 6 Party tapes and that screechy, DIY Memphis production.
3. DJ Paul — Slangin’ Rocks (Remaster) (2000s/2010s)
DJ Paul later cleaned up and remastered his older catalog for streaming and reissues (e.g., on mixtape compilations). The remastered Slangin’ Rocks is sonically the nicest of the Paul versions: clearer drums, less hiss, and more audible low end. Exact release years vary by platform, but these remasters mostly dropped in the 2010s on digital platforms.
Why it matters
You lose some grit here, but you gain punch. If your headache from a 1995 cassette rip is louder than the music, this is your peace offering. Remasters are great for playlists but can take away the tape-deck soul.
Best for: casual listeners who want the energy without the static.
4. Project Pat — Slangin’ Rocks (feat. Gangsta Boo) (1999)
Project Pat’s Slangin’ Rocks comes from 1999 and appeared on his Ghetty Green album. This version is the most “official” — backed by a major label run and structured as an album track rather than a mixtape anthem.
Why it matters
Pat’s take borrows the hook and concept, keeps the relentless repetition, but adds his own frame: tighter verses, a cleaner studio sound, and Gangsta Boo for contrast. It’s not the same underground chanted mantra, it’s a club track with legitimacy and shelf life.
Best for: people who want the classic without having to squint through hiss.
Ranking (From Deepest Street to Most Polished)
Lil Fly — Pt. II (c. 1994) Raw history. Hard to beat if you’re into OG Memphis tapes. DJ Paul — Pt. 1 (mid-90s) The definitive Hypnotize Minds bootleg version. DJ Paul — Remaster (2010s) Cleanest listening experience, but less character. Project Pat — Ghetty Green (1999) Most mainstream and accessible, but far from underground tape grit.
Final Thought
“Slangin’ Rocks” isn’t just a song. It’s a memetic loop embedded in the history of Southern rap — part street hustle, part hypnotic chant, part Memphis folklore. Ranking these versions is a bit like arguing if charcoal tastes better raw or cooked — they each have a place, and none of them should exist in isolation.
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