Behind The Culture: Houston Campaign

 Houston Slab Culture : Slow, Loud and Bangin'

Behind The Culture: Houston Campaign

"Slabs emerged in Houston, Texas' African American communities in the mid-1980s. More specifically, it emerged in the streets. This was the mid-1980s during the crack era. Some young men were getting relatively wealthy and they used slabs as a way to show off their success, while also using it as an artistic outlet. But in the early 1990s, slabs moved out of that experience and became part of the local hip-hop culture. And that's when the slab scene really expanded and grew." Langston Wilkins: folklorist, ethnomusicologist, researcher"A slab is typically an older model, large-bodied, American sedan — Cadillac, Lincoln, Oldsmobile, etc. And it's embellished or outfitted with various types of body additions, the first and most important one being the rims called "swangas" or "elbows." Those are those cone-like rims that poke out pretty far. On the trunk, you have what's called a "fifth wheel," which is a rim that's cut in half and enclosed in a fiberglass casing. Also explosive stereo systems that rattle or shake the car and shake the surroundings when listening to rap music. And within the trunk, you often have what's called 'trunk displays,' which are neon or sometimes glass signs that convey particular messages to their communities." Langston Wilkins"I would say slabs are the visual element of Houston hip-hop culture. It's like graffiti or fashion in other scenes. Slabs are a form of material culture that illuminate the values, attitudes, and ideas of the local hip-hop communities.

I think it's the 'swangas' that separate slabs from other custom car cultures. That's why they're talked about so much. But beyond that I would say it's the larger hip-hop community, the Houston hip-hop community that makes slabs special. Houston hip-hop is marked by a slow sound. It's psychedelic music. It's atmospheric music. And we see all of those characteristics in slab culture. Slabs are meant to be driven really, really slow. Slab drivers commonly weave in and out of lanes when driving their cars. So a slab isn't just a type of car. It's an entire experience, and it's an entire culture, so it's certainly special." Langston WilkinsOur social media manager Brian created a SLAB inspired Spotify playlist to promote our Fall campaign throughout the season. Check it out here!

Photoshoot: Photographer: @the.odiwams / CreativeDirector: @zuccherostyling Videographer: @ogdannyocean BTS/Continuity Video: @hershboystudios Wardrobe Styling Assistant: @itsjustlolo MakeupArtist: @mua_blacswan Hairstylist: @flowestudio_ / PA/Craftie: @maiaajaaddee Models: Ronnetta Spencer: @ronnetta_ ToddArmstrong: @themodeltodd Alex Koby: @alexthekoby Samaria Hebert: @samaria_herbert Danielle Dillworth: @daninicolexoxo Location: @screwed_up_records
Site Coordinator for Screwed Up Records: @bossyinc

Sources: Business Insider, CoogLife, Houston Slabs Facebook, Chron, BossCandy Magazine BTS, Chron

MORE STORIES from the blog

Get Out with Goorin: New Mexico, USA

Bring Your Goorin With You

What Does 'Living a Life of Leisure' Mean To You?

We asked our Goorin employees for their fresh takes

Sneaker Feature

with Tony G 

From The Design Team: Life Of Leisure

presents the SKINNY DIPPIN 2 Capsule

Farm Fit of the Day Roundup IV

Our fav Farm Truckers styled by YOU

Fedoras on You III

#itsagoorin

Farm Fit of the Day Roundup III

Our fav Farm Truckers styled by YOU

Inside the Crown: June Episode: Who Wants To Be A Milliner?

 A new corner of the Goorin-Verse with your hosts, Sarah and Alex!

Elevated Casual: Blurring the Lines in Fashion

sneakers and .... wide brim fedoras?!

Fedoras on You II

#itsagoorin

The Farm Presents: Mesh Capsule

available on 6.19.22

Fashion Focus: Mesh

a history of mesh in the fashion world

Dads' Got Style

Dads can be cool too

Fedoras on You

#itsagoorin

Inside the Crown: with @mrnycsubway

Our stylist team does a deep dive on a new corner of the Goorin-Verse

SS22 Spotify Playlist

We're back with more spring and summer inspired tunes for your every day

#HatWallWednesday Vol.16

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

Summer Nights: Escape the Escape

Escape from Everything. Escape the Escape.  The latest capsule from Goorin Bros. Avoid the average.

#HatWallWednesday Vol.15

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

Live a Life of Leisure with Straw

Fresh new arrivals just in time for the season

Inside the Crown: SS22 Preview & Favorites

Our stylist team does a deep dive on a new corner of the Goorin-Verse

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.14

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

Why We Love: El Arpa

A Goorin Bros. X Hampui collaboration

Refreshing Straws for Spring

for longer days and lighter hats

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.13

an interview series with our Goorin collectors

The Farm presents: Updog Capsule

A collection dedicated to man's best friend. Did your breed make the cut?

Inside The Crown: Block No.25 Episode

Our stylist team does a deep dive on a new corner of the Goorin-Verse

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.12

Since we interact with so many hat-lovers on our social media channels, Nicky (our social media and community...

Farm Truckers: Seasonal Colors

Explore our latest seasonal color releases of your favorite truckers

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.11

an interview series with Goorin collectors

Mr. Gilly x Goorin Bros.

Introducing a collaboration project for the BOLD: "Do It With Style"

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.10

an interview series with Goorin collectors

SXSW - from our SoCo store

LIVE MUSIC at our Austin shop on South Congress

What We're Rocking to SXSW

what hats we're wearing, and what tunes we're listening to

#BVFW Recap

Bovtiqve Fashion Week Vol. IV in Las Vegas February 2022

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.9

an interview series with Goorin collectors

International Women's Day 2022

celebrating the contributions of women today and every day

La Maceta: An El Sol Edition

available 03.06.22

Off The Wall: What To Do When Visiting a Hat Shop

Alex, of our virtual Styling team, is back with advice about how to approach your first hat shop visit

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.8

an interview series with Goorin collectors

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.7

an interview series with Goorin collectors

#HatWallWednesday Stories Vol.6

an interview series with Goorin collectors

Hats in Love

Hat-lovers unite this Valentine's Day

Inside The Crown: Farm Lifestyle Products

Our stylist team hosts FARM designer !Michael

Black Fashion Icons

legends of style