Lyrical Longevity

Partners-N-Crime: 25 years of bouncing beyond expectations.

- Amanda Mester

Last November, New Orleans rap progenitors Partners-N-Crime (comprised of Michael “Mr. Meana” Patterson and Walter “Kango Slim” Williams) toasted to their 25th anniversary with a concert at the Joy Theater alongside DJ Jubilee, the Showboys and a bevy of special guests. The event was a testament to the staying power of PNC, a mainstay in an industry plagued with a revolving door of rootless trends. Having written for Juvenile, T-Pain and Boosie, PNC has left fingerprints on much more than their own discography and are vowing to expand even further. A quarter of a century after solidifying its rightful place in the annals of hiphop history, the pair are preparing for their most ambitious work to date: a double-LP showcasing both the signature PNC bounce sound and full-fledged hip-hop jazz and funk. On April 12, the two will perform with Jubilee and The Big Easy Band at French Quarter Fest, where they’ll showcase the versatility that’s allowed them to let the good times roll for so long.

What's the most striking difference between New Orleans hip-hop today versus 25 years ago?

Kango Slim: The hip-hop in New Orleans has changed a whole lot. Even back then, you used to hear artists like Black Menace, Mr. Ivan and Mystikal but you still had your bounce artists like Partners-NCrime and DJ Jubilee. A lot of the artists used to really rap, though. It wasn’t just bounce, even though that had always been ‘our thing.’ But even back then, fans embraced bounce music but they also embraced the artistry of rap.