BIG 23: FROM CHICAGO’S DRILL ROOTS TO HOUSTON’S RISING VOICES
- Slums Magazine
- May 28
- 6 min read
Written by: Greg Lewis
Published May 28, 2026, 7:06pm EST
The rapper, entrepreneur, and creative visionary is betting on himself — and winning.
At just 25 years old, Jordan Straughter — better known as Big 23 — is carving out a lane that refuses to be boxed in.
Originally from Chicago and now making major moves between Houston and his hometown, the rising artist has built his brand on confidence, authenticity, and an aggressive style that blends multiple regional influences into something uniquely his own.
Whether he’s dropping hard-hitting records like “Timberland,” making noise online with “GMFU,” or expanding his creative network through Haute Couture Network, Big 23 represents a new generation of artists who understand that success goes beyond music. For him, it’s about legacy, ownership, and proving doubters wrong every single step of the way.
A Chicago Foundation with Houston Influence
Growing up in Chicago, music was unavoidable. The city’s drill movement dominated the streets and heavily influenced the culture surrounding young artists.
“In Chicago the drill wave was always big,” Big 23 explains. “So naturally I picked up on rapping on drill beats.”
Like many young creatives, he started experimenting with rap early on, but his relationship with music ran deeper than casual freestyles. Long before recording professionally, he was already developing his pen through poetry and songwriting.
“I would be in third and fourth grade writing raps in a notebook,” he recalls. “Making choruses and verses to songs and writing poetry.”
His talent even gained recognition at an early age when one of his poems was published in third grade — a moment that quietly hinted at the creative future ahead of him.
Still, it wasn’t until college that music became something more serious. After meeting fellow creative Southeast Sinner, Big 23 was introduced to the recording process firsthand, and everything changed.
“Once I got to college, I met Southeast Sinner and he introduced me to recording,” he says. “I fell in love with the art and the process right then and there.”
Later, relocating to Houston expanded his musical perspective even further. While Chicago gave him the aggression and energy associated with drill culture, Houston introduced him to an entirely different musical atmosphere.
“Once I got to Houston I heard a whole different culture and wave of music that shaped my sound,” he says.
That combination of Chicago intensity and Houston influence became the blueprint for the artist listeners hear today.
“You Don’t Sound Like Anyone Else”
For many artists, confidence develops over time. For Big 23, validation came when people started recognizing that his sound stood apart from the crowd.
“I knew it was for me once people started hearing my songs and saying, ‘You don’t sound like anyone else,’” he says.
In an era where countless artists chase trends and duplicate styles, originality has become one of his strongest assets. But standing out also came with challenges.
“The biggest challenge is getting in the door,” he admits. “Starting off, people look at you like just another rapper.”
Instead of letting doubt stop him, Big 23 leaned into self-belief and confidence. He realized early on that if he didn’t advocate for himself, nobody else would.
“I put the anxiousness and nervousness to the side and bet on myself,” he explains. “I gained confidence and let people know I’m the best.”
That charisma and self-assurance began opening doors and grabbing attention from listeners who recognized his authenticity.
“Timberland” and the Art of Freestyling Life
Big 23 entered 2025 with momentum thanks to his record “Timberland,” a song that showcased both his aggressive delivery and his evolving artistry.
The track was inspired by his fresh start in Houston and the hunger that came with rebuilding himself in a new city.
“I had just moved to Houston and wanted to bring my energy and aggressive style out,” he says.
What makes Big 23’s creative process particularly unique is the fact that he doesn’t write traditional lyrics before recording. Instead, he relies entirely on instinct and emotion.
“A secret about me and my songs is that I freestyle everything from scratch,” he reveals. “No lyrics, no iPhone notes. I just try to put my life in the song.”
That raw approach gives his music an unfiltered quality that feels personal and immediate. In “Timberland,” he used the record to announce his arrival while making it clear he intended to dominate his new environment.
“I was letting listeners know I just got to Houston and I’m about to start from the ground and get this rapping and trapping started,” he says.
The official music video for “Timberland,” released about eight months ago, further highlighted his artistic vision. Big 23 played a major role in shaping every visual detail, from locations to concepts.
“I booked the location and Airbnb myself,” he says. “I wanted it to be something the typical person has not seen before.”
The video’s desert and castle imagery helped separate it from the oversaturated visuals flooding social media today. For Big 23, creativity means pushing beyond what’s expected.
“Any video I shoot, I play a big role in the creative process.”
Turning Conflict into Music with “GMFU”
Another record generating attention for Big 23 is “GMFU,” a track born directly from personal frustration and internet drama.
“Mannn… GMFU was a diss,” he says bluntly.
Rather than engaging online, the rapper responded the way he knows best — through music.
“A Houston blogger picked it up and ran,” he explains. “So me, I’m not really an internet nigga, so I made a song.”
The record became both a release and a statement, proving once again that Big 23 uses music as a direct extension of his real-life experiences. Instead of manufactured industry storylines, he leans into authenticity, even when it comes from conflict.
The Meaning Behind “Big 23”
The name Big 23 immediately grabs attention, but for Jordan Straughter, it carries deeper meaning tied to ambition and greatness.
“My government is Jordan and I used to play basketball,” he says. “Jordan is considered the GOAT for basketball and when it’s all said and done, Big 23 will be the GOAT of rap.”
That mentality reflects throughout his entire approach to music and business. Big 23 doesn’t view success as temporary fame — he views it as legacy-building.
More Than Music: Building Haute Couture
Network
Outside of music, Big 23 has already established himself as an entrepreneur through his company Haute Couture Network, also known as HCN.
“I started HCN when I was 17,” he says.
The network blends fashion, music, news, and media while creating opportunities for creatives to express themselves. One of its biggest successes has been the podcast UNFLTRD, which gained strong local recognition in Chicago.
But Big 23’s vision extends far beyond podcasts.
“I would love to have production studios across the nation where people can come and express themselves through different forms of art,” he says.
For him, entrepreneurship represents ownership and longevity. He wants to build something that survives long after the music stops.
“I’m not investing this time and money for one week of success,” he says. “This needs to be going way after I die.”
That long-term thinking separates him from artists focused only on viral moments.
“Collard Green and NeckBones”: A Full Circle Moment
Big 23 prepares to released the music video for his newest single, “Collard Green and NeckBones,” a record he says holds deep emotional significance.
“I made this song before I left Houston and came back to Chicago,” he explains.
The track represents growth, reflection, and betting on himself despite outside doubt.
“This song was about taking a risk and it all paying off in the end,” he says. “People doubted me and I took the over on myself.”
Visually, he wanted the video to feel nostalgic and grounded in family, community, and hometown energy.
“I wanted to have a home-style feel and vibe since I spoke about older days and times,” he says.
Gathering his people, black trucks, and a cinematic atmosphere, Big 23 created a visual celebration of both his journey and the individuals who helped shape it.
The record also gave him an opportunity to publicly thank those closest to him — from family members to collaborators and longtime supporters.
“Shoutout everybody that played a role in Big 23,” he says. “Much love.”
The Future of Big 23
As Big 23 continues building momentum, one thing becomes increasingly clear: he isn’t chasing validation anymore. He’s building a brand, a sound, and a legacy entirely on his own terms.
From Chicago’s drill roots to Houston’s evolving music culture, he’s crafted an identity rooted in confidence, resilience, and originality. Whether through music, visuals, business ventures, or creative direction, Big 23 understands the importance of ownership in today’s entertainment industry.
If his current trajectory says anything, it’s that Jordan Straughter is nowhere near finished.
Big 23 isn’t waiting for permission to become great.
In his mind, he already is.
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