Houston, Texas--home to hip-hop heavyweights like Geto Boys and South Circle--has produced another promising artist, Lil' Troy. Born in Houston's notorious South Park community, Lil' Troy was raised in a musical family. His mother was a singer and his father played tenor sax in various bands.

Lil' Troy began his career as a producer when he discovered a young rapper named Brad Jordan, a.k.a. Scarface, when both of them were fresh out of high school. Lil' Troy's production on Scarface's single, aptly titled "Scarface," convinced Rap-A-Lot Records founder James Prince to add Scarface to the Geto Boys lineup.

Shortly after Rap-A-Lot Records picked up Scarface, Troy formed his own record label, Short Stop Records, which supported local Houston acts. Mass 187's hit single, "Gangsta Strut," landed Troy a deal, albeit short-lived, with London/Payday Records.

When his own label folded, Lil' Troy went from producer to rapper, and landed a deal with Universal Records. His debut, Sitting Fat Down South, hit record stores in late 1999.