The saying “drop it lower than chopped and screwed”  is associated with a genre of hip-hop known as chopped and screwed. 

For millions of listeners, BTS was the first time they heard anything resembling chopped & screwed — and they didn’t even know it, who reintroduced a regional Black Southern hip‑hop technique to a worldwide audience

Used it in a high‑budget, cinematic production, but in a very modern, innovative way, instead of a nostalgic one

Connected Houston’s legacy to K‑pop’s global reach. That’s a huge cultural loop.

This technique involves slowing down the tempo of a song to create a hypnotic, drawn-out rhythmic foundation, often emphasizing lyrics and storytelling. It was pioneered by DJ Screw in Houston, who passed away in 2000; the style endured and became a staple in the hip-hop scene. 

The style is characterized by its slow, deep basslines and the manipulation of audio playback, creating a unique sound that resonates with Southern hip-hop culture.

BTS is not doing it in the traditional DJ Screw way — no full 60 BPM slowdown or heavy chopping — but they’re clearly borrowing the aesthetic:

• Slowed vocals
• Lowered pitch
• Echoing repeats
• Dragged‑out transitions

For many younger listeners, BTS was their first exposure to anything resembling chopped and screwed. Thanks to BTS!

In Houston, it’s a whole culture

Chopped & screwed is everywhere —

• mixtapes
• car culture
• local radio
• DJ Screw’s legacy
• The Screwed Up Click

If you were in Houston, it wasn’t a trend; it was daily life.

Thank you, DJ Screw