Debate Over Official Houston Mt. Rushmore of Music

The “Mt. Rushmore” trend has taken over social media, with fans from every corner of the country creating their personal versions of the iconic monument—swapping out U.S. presidents for sports legends, music icons and cultural pioneers. Naturally, the conversation hit Houston, a city with one of the richest musical legacies in the world.

Good Morning H-Town jumped right into the conversation, asking listeners to help create the official H-Town Mt. Rushmore by voting for four of the greatest homegrown artists who’ve shaped the city’s sound and culture. After a week of heated debates and thousands of votes, the people of Houston crowned their four: Beyoncé, Scarface, Slim Thug and Paul Wall.

The final list, however, immediately set off a firestorm on social media. Many Houstonians chimed in, questioning some of the omissions. Where was DJ Screw, the pioneer of the iconic “chopped and screwed” sound that put Houston on the hip-hop map? Others passionately argued for Z-Ro, often referred to as the “Mo City Don,” whose influence on Southern rap is undeniable. Some even threw in names like UGK (though hailing from nearby Port Arthur) and Travis Scott, citing their global impact.

The conversation didn’t end there. Viral comedian Bubba Dub—who was in town for four sold-out shows at the Houston Improv over the Fourth of July weekend—stopped by Good Morning H-Town and wasted no time sharing his unfiltered take on the Mt. Rushmore picks. Bubba Dub’s hilarious yet passionate commentary on the topic had everyone talking once again. He made it clear that, while Beyoncé and Scarface are locks in his book, others on the list might be up for debate.

It’s no surprise this debate got so heated—Houston has long been a powerhouse in the music world. From the soulful sounds of legends like Archie Bell & The Drells to the chopped-and-screwed stylings of DJ Screw and his Screwed Up Click, H-Town’s musical influence runs deep. The Geto Boys (which includes Scarface) helped pioneer Southern rap in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, while artists like Slim Thug and Paul Wall helped usher in Houston’s mainstream explosion in the early 2000s with their distinctive Southern drawls and love for slabs, grills, and candy paint.

And of course, there’s Beyoncé—arguably the most famous Houstonian of all time—whose global reign as a superstar remains unmatched.

No matter where you stand on the list, one thing’s for sure: Houston’s music scene is stacked with icons, and the Mt. Rushmore debate is far from over.