Robert Earl Davis Jr., commonly known as DJ Screw, passed away on 2000-11-16 at the age of 29. He was an incredibly influential figure in the Houston hip-hop scene and beyond. His signature style, which he dubbed “chopped and screwed” — a signature sound involving slower tempos — heavily impacted the sound of rap music, both in the Houston area at the time and beyond. Davis Jr. was born on July 20th, 1971, and grew up in Houston. He began experimenting with music from a young age, eventually discovering his signature style. Over a decade, Davis Jr. wrote, recorded, and produced hundreds of songs, inspiring countless young musicians. His influence is credited with launching the careers of many of today’s hip-hop icons, like Swishahouse, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG. He also founded his own record label, Screwed Up Records & Tapes. Davis Jr. remained active in music until his untimely death. His legacy lives on in the music world today.