Mixerr Album Reviews #2,173

Mr. Joshay’s 21 Crunk St. album is San Antonio’s answer to the popular police drama TV show 21 Jump Street only the album is more crunk than the TV show. The album has themes similar to 21 Jump Street. Songs on this album cover issues such as gang activity, drug trafficking, abuse, murder, and other crimes of that nature. Southern rap meets gangsta rap on this album. Mr. Joshay raps in a smooth laid back voice. His voice blends in well with the smooth production. Who knew such smoothness could come from San Antonio, Texas?

Ricé, Sean Tompkins and 17 Freeze produced one tight ass album. Ricé’s production style is double bass and double guitars on top of high quality sound. Ricé is known for his smooth production. Sean Tompkins served as the executive producer for the whole album and pulled songs that Mr. Joshay performed and featured on from other albums.

The songs that were featured on other albums were Gang Story, Game On Freeze, You and Your Nine, and Go Live. The album was produced at Ricé’s Music Box Studios when it was located in his trailer at Westhill Mobile Home & RV Park on Pinn Road in Southwest San Antonio. That is why you can hear his sound all over the album.

The album was released on Commerce St. Records in 1998 on CD format with no barcode. Sean Tompkins was responsible for releasing the album on his own label which was Commerce St. Records. That label was responsible for releasing his albums. Mr. Joshay represented Commerce Street to the fullest. Not too many people know this but Commerce St. Records was located inside of the old Windsor Park Mall in San Antonio, Texas. The address for Commerce St. Records was 7900 North IH-35, Suite L-5, San Antonio, TX 78218.

The legendary graphic design company Pen n Pixel designed the 21 Crunk St album cover. That album cover is Las Vegas themed. You have the Sands Motel and Theater on the left and Goldfingers Barber Shop on the right next to Wild Boyz and a casino. Not to mention High Rollers. Notice all the bright lights, cars, and glitter.

Now this album was supposed to be released on BLVD Records (Boulevard Records) in 1998 but wasn’t because BLVD Records got shut down by the IRS for tax evasion. This led Mr. Joshay to sign with Sean Tompkins label Commerce Street Records to release his debut album 21 Crunk St.


Gang Story is a deadly tale of gang life in San Antonio, Texas. The song gives the listener(s) details about a tragic gang related murder took place on the East Side of San Antonio. Gang Story has some deep lyrics and smooth production that is well organized. The sound effects in the background are dope. Today this song is regarded as an old school 210 classic.

Now this song was recorded back when San Antonio was the drive-by capital of Texas and gang capital of Texas. San Antonio was the murder capital of Texas during this time. A majority of the drive-by shootings in San Antonio that occurred during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s were gang related.

Ricé produced Gang Story. Tanya Anderson and recorded the backgrounds with Ricé. That is who is singing those nice background vocals.  Now this song Gang Story was recorded  at his studio back when it was in his trailer at Westhill Mobile Home & RV Park on Pinn Road in Southwest San Antonio. Music Box Studios was his studio that operated out of a trailer.

Gang Story was a song that was featured on Ricé’s compilation Swisher Deep in 1997. Sean Tompkins put Gang Story on the 21 Crunk St. album when they were short on tracks.

Police sirens can be heard at the very beginning of this song. So you already know there is trouble. Homey, have you heard? Another gang related murder has been committed in the hood and Mr. Joshay has just received word. There weren’t too many words exchanged. Some gang members threw their sets up by throwing gang signs and commenced shooting. They threw their sets up and just left.

The spot is getting hot. Mr. Joshay could have sworn he saw the devil on the next block over. Bullets were flying, ricocheting off the curb. One last shot was fired. Mr. Joshay looked to check for his money and his sack to see if everything was intact. Everything was all intact. He looked around to only find his homie laying on his back. He had a Swisher Sweet in his hand that was still lit. Blood was rushing from his head and his eyes were open. This state of shock nearly blew Mr. Joshay’s mind.

Girls are hollering at the crime scene. But who is going to explain that he was in a gang to his momma? Mr. Joshay can’t even image how much pain his momma is going through to see her only child laying in the dirty. He can’t imagine how much she is hurting. He shares the sorrow and pain as they stare in disbelief. His momma says, “My baby can’t be dead. Tell me he’s just asleep. No.” She asks why did her son have to die. She starts to cry. He didn’t say a word. How could she be so cold? He asks the Lord to have mercy over his dead homie’s soul. Just another gang story.

These streets can make you feel so sad and cry. It’s enough to make you lose your mind.

Sirens scream and lights gleam as the night got dark. Another tragedy was going down at Lockwood Park. (For those who know, Lockwood Park is located on the East Side of San Antonio.)

Now a news report on TV is being aired. The report read, “Just another gang member shot at a well known crack spot.” The female news anchor reported the following, “Just in on the 10 o’clock news at 10 PM, Police report a gang member has been shot on San Antonio’s East Side. They have no current suspects or leads in this case.”

But being that this murder case is gang related, San Antonio Police Department is not about to waste taxpayer dollars by investigating this murder. The chief of police is at home asleep. Happy as hell because another nigga is off the streets.

A meeting was held in Lockwood Park the following day. The meeting was based on who the perpetrators were and retaliation. Mr. Joshay said, “This ain’t about the gang. So put away your chrome. I know ya’ll feel the pain but let me handle this alone.” They saw that Mr. Joshay was brokenhearted as he prepared to end this war the other gang started. He loads his pistol up with bullets. He pulls the trigger and bullets start flying. The person from the other gang was shot in the back. Mission is accomplished. Murder in the first degree.

Just another gang story. Mr. Joshay wonders if his homie feels the love as he pours the 40 ounce (40 oz.) on the curb.

Lyrics to the chorus represent the insanity of gang life and the streets.

[Chorus]
These streets can make you feel oh so sad and make you want to cry
It’s enough to make you lose your mind
And worry


Baby Boy was a song Mr. Joshay wrote in order to get his baby brother to listen to him about what he had to say. Lyrics in this song were words of advice to his baby brother. Overall the song has a sad mournful vibe instead the usual upbeat smooth vibe and sound.

His baby brother was just being introduced to this game at the time Baby Boy was written and recorded. His baby brother was being introduced to a life of crime better as that criminal lifestyle. Baby Boy was dedicated to his baby brother and to them real niggaz.

Mr. Joshay tells his little brother in beginning of the song, “Baby brother, please listen to your brother, man. Listen to your brother, bay boy. I see the pain in your eyes. I know it’s hard sometimes. But I’ve got yours, fool, and you’ve got mine.”

Is it pain or the game? The plan of the game is to get money. It’s funny how time passes by and all niggaz do is get high. Mr. Joshay cried his last cry. He puts that on the game. Life is so strange. The situation might have changed. We can be blinded by the glamorous things in life.

Mr. Joshay only gives people one warning and then sprays bullets. Joshay don’t play. You can ask Poppa Squali. Fickle ass niggas hate Mr. Joshay because they simply can’t fade it. He is from SA. The East Side of San Antone, playa. From Wheatley Courts to Sutton Homes, it’s ride or die. Mr. Joshay says, “If I should die before the Lord brings light, then I must have had a hell of a night.”

“If I should die before the Lord brings light, then I must have had a hell of a night.”
No one puts much effort into music these days. You don’t get lyrics like this anymore.

Mr. Joshay tells his brother to listen to him and what he has to say. “Baby brother, won’t you listen to your brother, man? Listen to your brother, baby boy. I see the pain in your eyes. I know it’s hard sometimes. But I’ve got yours, fool, and you’ve got mine.”

It’s unexplainable how the criminal lifestyle really is. So analyze and peep game from Mr. Joshay. Niggaz sell cocaine in the city to maintain or gang bang. It won’t stop as niggaz are steadily dying for colors. Gang life has got a stronghold on his brother. His brother doesn’t care if he dies as he represents the other side which is a different gang from Lockwood Park Terrace (LPT). He stays aways from home all night while trying to get his part time slang on and bang on. Fool hang on.

Mr. Joshay tells his brother things in the streets ain’t what they seem to be. Fuck them niggaz and bitches stacking cream, young g . Mr. Joshay sees a warrior that fights until he’s gone. It’s a shame that he has to live by the gun. The truth is in his face but he pretends to be blind. He chose not to face the truth.

Mr. Joshay has already been to hell. He feels his little brother’s pain. He puffs on chronic as he loves that Mary Jane (marijuana). Life is not a game. Mr. Joshay keeps it real by speaking the truth. Nobody told his little brother about the dark side of street life. Nobody told him about the dark skies or the harsh cries of a young child when someone dies.

Is it reality or just a dream? When crack fiends empty the pockets of a dead person. All these fiends will make you wonder and all these player haters will create these schemes to take you under. They are plotting on your downfall.

His baby brother grabs thunder and goes plotting up a jack move to impress his homies. He isn’t the only person caught up in this life of crime. Surely he is now going to be headed for the pen if he keeps this behavior up.

The song ends with Mr. Joshay telling his little brother to cherish his life and that he will be there for him when he needs him. He would sacrifice his soul for him because he is his baby brother.

He tells his baby brother, “You grab your thunder and pull a jack to impress you homies but you’ll be locked up in the pen where nights are oh so lonely. He isn’t the only person caught up in this life of crime. You ain’t the only motherfucker in this life of crime. Cherish your life. It’s like it’s mine. So, fool, just take your time. Keep on your mind. I’ll be there. Never ask another. I’ll sacrifice my soul for yours because you’re my baby brother. Baby brother, won’t you listen to your brother, man? Listen to your brother, baby boy. I see the pain in your eyes. I know it’s hard sometimes. But I’ve got yours, fool, and you’ve got mine.”


Game On Freeze was from Nino’s sophomore album Unstoppable which was released in 1998. The song features Nino of P.K.O. and Dogie. Ricé and 17 Freeze aka Skip Wayne produced Game On Freeze.

Sometimes when you fall off and your game is slower than usual, the game is on freeze. Sometimes things come to a halt when you fall down the ladder. But you end up later getting back into your position. That is what Game On Freeze is about.

The game is on freeze like it’s -20º F below. Ain’t nothing shaking in the trees from pounds to kilos. Loosing 10 grand ain’t shit to Nino. He can do a show overseas and come back home to perform. Nino fell off for a minute back in 1996 but he got back into his position in 1998. There’s no shit in competition. He got them hoes on their toes. All his dreams came true. Recognize that a real pimp is being chosen. Nino is just a six figure nigga rapping. No more Gucci or alligator shoes on his feet. His game is on freeze.

All Mr. Joshay wants to do smoke a blunt but he has to get that money. Why are they player hating on him? He represents San Antonio. Him and Nino have got the game on freeze.

Is it the crazy bitches that they be pimpin’ or those trips to Las Vegas that people are hating on them? Mr. Joshay can’t seem to understand all the hate aimed towards them. People can have nice things but they take them for granted. He has a bad ass yellow hammer and a condo in Atlanta. Southernplayalistic swang is nothing but a Texas thang. (It’s also a Georgia thang too.) Mr. Joshay shows love to all gang sets.

Now the verse rapped by Dogie is just as smooth and whimsical as Mr. Joshay’s verse. He has the same smoothness as he does.


Mr. Joshay shows love and pays homage to the ghetto on “Ghetto Tears”. It’s another one of SA’s best songs that got overlooked in the rise of Southern rap. The song is filled with such smoothness over mean bass played and performed by Ricé. This song also backed by a loud powerful gospel sounding chorus.

It ain’t nothing like the ghetto. You know these Texas g’s be getting dollars. The ghetto is part of Mr. Joshay and he cannot let go of the ghetto. The ghetto is in him spiritually and mentally. So raise your hands if you can feel this southern sound and if you know you can feel him. Only the strong survive. Ghetto tears run out of his eyes.

Even through the hard times and hardships, Mr. Joshay gets his. They wonder why a ghetto child commits crimes. In the line of hard times a ghetto child commits crimes. Mr. Joshay’s game has been laid. You find that Mr. Joshay gets paid in this game (life of crime).  His aim is to get paid. That is his goal. He stays all about his scrilla (cash). Mr.  Joshay is an OG who claims LPT (Lockwood Park Terrace). The war is on. He is stacking stones and change like a baby version of Al Capone. You don’t want to plex (beef) to with these Texas boys. Niggaz want to ride. Front and back & side to side with Mr. Joshay in a Cadillac. Slip with him down Burnet Street. All draped out like Lil Keke.

It ain’t nothing like the ghetto. You know these Texas g’s be getting dollars. The ghetto is part of Mr. Joshay and he cannot let go of the ghetto. So raise your hands if you can feel this southern sound.

Mr. Joshay is sad because his daddy is doing time for being caught up in the grind. He did his dirt. He was trying to make ends meet by stacking paper and get up on his feet so his family can eat. Now he pays for what he did in the streets. Now we as taxpayers pay for what he did in the streets. People ask Mr. Joshay why he is the way he is. Because he watches another person pull jack moves doing robberies, drive Cadillacs, and stack money. The streets are what pay. If you fuck around with his scrilla, you are going to end up in a brain dead state.

It ain’t nothing like the ghetto. You know these Texas g’s be getting dollars. The ghetto is part of Mr. Joshay. From the Uptown District to Sutton Homes it’s on.


Mary Lou has that laid back smoothness as Ricé produced the double guitars and double bass you hear playing in the background. The song is an ode to marijuana. Imagine getting blitzed while writing rhymes to a fresh ass verse to a rap song you wrote. Feels so good all the time.

It’s summertime. Mr. Joshay has a glass of wine. He drunk that wine down with a little pine. Of course he starts coughing. Mary Lou makes him feel so good. Mr. Joshay is down with a woman named Mary Lou. Marijuana that is. He is sitting on the porch with his homeboys busting rhymes. Felt so good all the time.

It was on a Sunday during summertime at the location of 21 Crunk Street that Mr. Joshay was writing a rhyme to a fresh verse to a rap song he wrote.
 
Mr. Joshay was a young g. The homies already know his name. They used to pass him a dollar for school clothes to keep his little ass out of the game of crime. One day he decided to be like them. His life was planned and chose. Be gone like the wind.  

He was mad at his relative named Ingrid because she sent him to the store. He bought the cheapest thing and kept the change. He hid the rest of the money. When he walked outside, he bumped into Mary. She was tight. She had to be the baddest bitch he had ever seen in his whole damn life. She was this one specific woman who would never get with him. She asks him, “Ain’t you Mr. Joshay? I saw you on the porch writing with a book. I got $3.15 and 5 for 20.” He got introduced to marijuana and was hooked instantly. He’s down with Mary Lou.


You and Your Nine came from the Runnin’ Blind compilation that was released in 1997 by Commerce St. Records on CD. Sean Tompkins put You and Your Nine on the Runnin Blind compilation first. Sean Tompkins later included the song on the 21 Crunk St. album because the album was short on tracks. That was all Sean’s idea. Label mates Dirty Red and King 13 make an appearance.  

Sean Tompkins co-produced You and Your Nine and Ricé did the instrumentation arrangements. The song has a smooth but brooding sound of uncertainty. Things get kind of eerie due to the tone and sound. Still this song is regarded as old school San Antonio hip hop/rap at its finest.

King 13 the freestyle king graces the track first.

You bastards always talk about murderous shit. Gotta get your gat and your click because ya’ll can’t squabble it. Those same people are the same ones who go to the pen and end up being the first ones to get raped. Sucking dick and getting fucked like a bitch. Ain’t made to run on these streets. You grab your heat from under the drivers seat of your vehicle because your boxing game is weak. That ass gets beat and teeth are split. All this to avoid grief.

Bitch made to the core. Doing driveby shootings are easier than fighting. People who are cowards do driveby shootings because they can’t fight. We all gotta die in due time. Be true to yourself.

King 13 is strong in the rap game as he is the freestyle king of San Antonio rap/hip hop. He is flipping the flow with niggas that ain’t gonna last. King 13 was known for flipping flows in his rap back in the 90s.

Dirty Red raps on the second verse.

Dirty Red dedicates his hate to pussy packing niggaz bumping they gums about some beef shit. That could have been done a long time ago. Boxing ain’t the thang for them to do. They are bitch made to the core as King 13 said. Grabbing a fully automatic weapon is part of retaliating and causing static. Such mannerism is considered cold blooded to the bone.

Bumping Al Green and watching Al Capone. The name ain’t nothing but the skin tone. Dirty Red takes people on going head first. It hurts to see a player ball. These haters are looking for the next player to gank.

Mr. Joshay raps at the very end of this song.

Come fly with this young black villain. Look into his eyes and you’ll spot the killers at night. Young villains who stacking they scrilla. Young villains blast any motherfucker on sight. Like that. These niggaz don’t be playing in Texas.

Mr. Joshay tells people not to hesitate to shoot at him if they plan on doing so. Don’t waste his time if you ain’t finna pull the trigger. The song is aimed at the weak and fake people. Those type of people are quick to grab their guns instead of actually fight. They don’t last long as they are not made to run on these streets. You might as well shoot yourself.


Mr. Joshay gets crunk on the album with the song Get Crunk. He sure knows how to get people riled up with his raps and his smoothness. He has finesse and that Texas swang. The crunkness fits in perfectly with the album. This song is also for them real niggaz. DJ Snake produced Get Crunk. Big Mello makes an appearance on Get Crunk.

Go Live was also put on a compilation called Young Southern Playaz ‎– Dirty 3rd which was released in 2000. K-Sam of P.K.O., Point Blank, Down and Dirty Clique (DDC), and UNLV all had guest spots on that song. The song has that fast paced New Orleans bounce sound. It don’t get no liver than this. Mr. Joshay sure knows how to get people listening with his raps and his smoothness. He has finesse and that Texas swang. Lil Ya gives the song that New Orleans bounce sound and Dirty South sound.

I rate this album 5/5*****!!

*[Commerce St. Records is also known as Commerce Street Records.]
*[Mr. Joshay is Joshay Richardson.]