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Slab (car)
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>The origins and evolution of Slab Culture in Houston can be outlined through key developments over the decades: </p> <h3>Early 1980s: Emergence of Slab Culture</h3> <p>Slab Culture began to take shape in <a href="/facts/Houston/1v8AwQUN">Houston</a>'s predominantly African American neighborhoods during the early 1980s. Enthusiasts started customizing vehicles—often older American sedans—by adding distinctive features such as "swangas" (extended wire rims) and vibrant paint jobs. The term "slab" is believed to refer to the "slow, loud, and bangin'" nature of these modified cars. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p> <h3>Mid to Late 1980s: Cultural Integration</h3> <p>As the 1980s progressed, Slab Culture became more intertwined with Houston's burgeoning hip-hop scene. Artists like DJ Screw pioneered the "chopped and screwed" style, characterized by slowed-down tempos and remixing techniques, which resonated with the laid-back cruising associated with slab cars. This synergy between music and car culture reinforced the identity of the community. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h3>1990s: Mainstream Recognition and Expansion</h3> <p>The 1990s saw Slab Culture gain wider recognition beyond Houston. Local hip-hop artists, including members of the Screwed Up Click, featured slabs in their music videos and lyrics, bringing national attention to the movement. The culture's aesthetics influenced fashion trends and inspired other car customization styles across the Southern United States. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> </p> <h3>2000s: Institutional Acknowledgment</h3> <p>In the 2000s, Slab Culture began to receive institutional recognition as an integral part of Houston's cultural heritage. Events like the Houston SLAB Parade & Family Festival celebrated the community's creativity and contributions, while museums and universities documented the history and significance of the movement. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> </p> <h3>2010s and Beyond: Continued Evolution</h3> <p>Entering the 2010s, Slab Culture continued to evolve, adapting to new automotive technologies and digital platforms. Social media allowed enthusiasts to share their customized vehicles with a global audience, fostering a broader appreciation for the culture. Despite these changes, the core values of community, creativity, and individuality remained central to Slab Culture's enduring legacy. </p> <h2 id="elements">Elements</h2> <p>Slabs have bright "candy" paint in colorful hues, contrasting many modern grey, black, and white cars.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> They often feature gold and <a href="/facts/Whitewall_tire/4kMyKRoo">whitewall tires</a> on chrome wire wheels which may protrude like a cone horizontally, colloquially called "Swangas" or "elbows."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> They may also feature "cartoonish" central poker protruding centers, the longest being 24 in (61 cm).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> A simulated <a href="/facts/Continental_kit/P6vWDWRl">Continental kit</a> that include a fiberglass spare wheel and marching "elbow" are often added to the rear.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p><p>The customized cars are typically American brands like <a href="/facts/Cadillac/XIwEf3TI">Cadillac</a>, <a href="/facts/Chevrolet/lp04IP4m">Chevrolet</a>, <a href="/facts/Lincoln_Motor_Company/AM75BNop">Lincoln</a>, and <a href="/facts/Buick/MV4z0rU6">Buick</a>. Many are retro cars like the <a href="/facts/Cadillac_DeVille/bogLJEhl">Cadillac DeVille</a> or old <a href="/facts/Chevrolet_Impala/g2b81ra6">Chevrolet Impalas</a>. Slabs may have lowered <a href="/facts/Car_suspension/KuAt6dB1">suspension</a> from <a href="/facts/Hydraulics/KSIqLovc">hydraulics</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> Some Slabs have constantly open or "popped" trunks that contain neon signs, amplifiers, and speakers. The high-powered sound systems with massive subwoofers can shatter plate glass store windows.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> Owners also put custom messages under the trunk lid.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> </p><p>Slabs are similar to Californian <a href="/facts/Lowrider/H99N8Pmb">lowrider</a> cars, with retro American cars, bright colors, low suspension, and association with hip-hop. However, the large wheels, occasional usage of more modern cars, and trunk "popping" makes Slabs distinct from lowriders.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> The design of Slab cars borrows inspiration from cars driven by <a href="/facts/Pimps/RhWg4Pj2">pimps</a> and <a href="/facts/Gangster/NUyBz9LE">gangsters</a> in the 1970s "<a href="/facts/Blaxploitation/XlInp42E">Blaxploitation</a>" films.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="in-hip-hop-culture">In hip-hop culture</h2> <p>Slabs are a part of Texas rap culture, named after how Slab drivers played rap in the car. They were frequently mentioned in and played in 2000s and 1990s <a href="/facts/Southern_hip-hop/sk2rDgpl">Texas rap</a> songs. Rappers like <a href="/facts/Chamillionaire/ymgLAV8I">Chamillionaire</a>, <a href="/facts/Pimp_C/gCPQ86E0">Pimp C</a>, <a href="/facts/Bun_B/pqENEb1v">Bun B</a>, <a href="/facts/Paul_Wall/2QycH4Cf">Paul Wall</a>, <a href="/facts/Slim_Thug/ftb6w29T">Slim Thug</a>, <a href="/facts/Big_Pokey/CHHQLmEF">Big Pokey</a>, <a href="/facts/Z-Ro/ewFypMNl">Z-Ro</a>, and <a href="/facts/Mike_Jones_(rapper)/x8SsKVhM">Mike Jones</a> would mention Slabs in their songs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> Additionally, the <a href="/facts/Chopped_and_screwed/FNzzbL91">chopped and screwed</a> style of <a href="/facts/Southern_rap/sk2rDgpl">Southern rap</a>, which involved slowing rap songs and then repeating or skipping beats, popularized by <a href="/facts/DJ_Screw/WTzu0IUs">DJ Screw</a> and <a href="/facts/Michael_%25225000%2522_Watts/6dV0NhIE">DJ Mike Watts</a>, made Slabs more popular as part of Slab culture is slow driving, which fit the style of low tempo chopped and screwed songs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="influence-on-hip-hop">Influence on hip hop</h2> <p>Although slab music mostly refers to the 90s-2000s genre centered on Houston artists such as <a href="/facts/UGK/I50wj308">UGK</a>, <a href="/facts/Paul_Wall/2QycH4Cf">Paul Wall</a> and <a href="/facts/Mike_Jones_(rapper)/x8SsKVhM">Mike Jones</a>, the genre set a lasting impact on hip hop overall. </p> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Baruth, Jack; Mehta, Sajeev (2021-12-01). "Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Perez, Samara (2020-05-25). "Made in Texas: How Slabs became a symbol of Houston's hip hop culture". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/" target="_blank">https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>McLaughlin, Eliott C. (2016-11-02). "Candy paint and elbows: Swangin' through Houston's slab scene". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Horncastle, Rowan (2022-08-18). "All you need to know about SLAB car culture". Top Gear. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/all-you-need-know-about-slab-car-culture" target="_blank">https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/all-you-need-know-about-slab-car-culture</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Baruth, Jack; Mehta, Sajeev (2021-12-01). "Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Eakin, Marah (March 26, 2013). "Learn all about the long, lean history of "sizzurp" with this 7-minute audio primer". A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2014. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170817170018/http://www.avclub.com/article/learn-all-about-the-long-lean-history-of-sizzurp-w-95448" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20170817170018/http://www.avclub.com/article/learn-all-about-the-long-lean-history-of-sizzurp-w-95448</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2025-03-15. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Slab culture: The vibrant car tradition of Houston's streets". Defender Network. Retrieved 2025-03-15. <a href="https://defendernetwork.com/under-40/houston-slab-culture/" target="_blank">https://defendernetwork.com/under-40/houston-slab-culture/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2025-03-15. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"SLAB History · Houston SLAB Parade & Family Festival · University of Houston Libraries Exhibits". University of Houston Libraries. Retrieved 2025-03-15. <a href="https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/Houston-SLAB/page/SLAB-history" target="_blank">https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/Houston-SLAB/page/SLAB-history</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>McLaughlin, Eliott C. (2016-11-02). "Candy paint and elbows: Swangin' through Houston's slab scene". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Perez, Samara (2020-05-25). "Made in Texas: How Slabs became a symbol of Houston's hip hop culture". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/" target="_blank">https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>McLaughlin, Eliott C. (2016-11-02). "Candy paint and elbows: Swangin' through Houston's slab scene". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Horncastle, Rowan (2022-08-18). "All you need to know about SLAB car culture". Top Gear. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/all-you-need-know-about-slab-car-culture" target="_blank">https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/all-you-need-know-about-slab-car-culture</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Baruth, Jack; Mehta, Sajeev (2021-12-01). "Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Perez, Samara (2020-05-25). "Made in Texas: How Slabs became a symbol of Houston's hip hop culture". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/" target="_blank">https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>Baruth, Jack; Mehta, Sajeev (2021-12-01). "Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Baruth, Jack; Mehta, Sajeev (2021-12-01). "Elbows Out: Houston birthed the slabs, a car culture of its own". Hagerty. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/" target="_blank">https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/elbows-out-houston-birthed-the-slabs-a-car-culture-of-its-own/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>McLaughlin, Eliott C. (2016-11-02). "Candy paint and elbows: Swangin' through Houston's slab scene". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Perez, Samara (2020-05-25). "Made in Texas: How Slabs became a symbol of Houston's hip hop culture". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/" target="_blank">https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/05/25/made-in-texas-how-slabs-became-a-symbol-of-houstons-hip-hop-culture/</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>McLaughlin, Eliott C. (2016-11-02). "Candy paint and elbows: Swangin' through Houston's slab scene". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Gessner, Daniel. "The history behind 'slabs,' the custom cars with an important place in Houston's hip-hop community". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/slabs-swangas-custom-cars-houston-hip-hop-culture-2019-5</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>McLaughlin, Eliott C. (2016-11-02). "Candy paint and elbows: Swangin' through Houston's slab scene". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-10. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/houston-slab-cars-music/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>