UGK
UGK | |
|---|---|
 Bun B (left) and Pimp C in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Underground Kingz |
| Origin | Port Arthur, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1987–2007 |
| Labels | Jive |
| Past members | |
| Website | www.the-ugks.com |
UGK (short for Underground Kingz) was an American
Hailing from Port Arthur, Texas, UGK members Pimp (Chad Butler) and Bun (Bernard Freeman) shared roots in the same town as iconic figures like Janis Joplin and Robert Rauschenberg. Despite the town's population of 60,000, with a notable African American community, it wasn't initially recognized for its rap scene. The duo, adopting the moniker "Underground Kingz" (UGK), did so due to their unique country rap style, rich in "slang and twang," which they believed might be challenging for outsiders to grasp. UGK's musical fusion seamlessly integrated "deep bluesy textures, triumphant church organs, thick funk, and meaty soul" into their compositions.
Bun, born Bernard Freeman, earned his nickname "Bunny" in childhood, later shortened to Bun. His rap delivery was likened to a "speeding-train," characterized by lyrics that felt meticulously crafted and coated with a heavy lacquer.
Pimp, son of a trumpet player, developed a passion for music early in life. His musical background included exposure to classical genres, Italian sonnets, and Negro spirituals. Even before formal musical education, Pimp displayed a remarkable ability to play instruments by ear, including piano, trumpet, drums, and flugelhorn. His vocal style was noted for being high-voiced, unstable, and provocative—equally likely to deliver a powerful message as to croon a love song. Influenced by Run-DMC, Pimp began crafting beats to rap over after receiving a drum machine and keyboard as a Christmas gift. Responding to advice from Pimp's stepfather to "put some music in that," he ventured beyond the conventional kick-snare formula, embracing 808s and emphasizing hi-hats in their productions. This musical evolution became a defining aspect of UGK's distinctive sound.
Career and recordings
In 1992, UGK was signed to Jive Records under a five-album contract, releasing their major-label debut album Too Hard to Swallow.[1] While it featured several new recordings, it also featured several songs that had been culled from The Southern Way.[2] However, several songs that had been intended to be included on the album were excised at the last minute, apparently due to their overly explicit content. Five of these songs would surface two months before the release of Too Hard to Swallow, on an EP distributed by Bigtyme Recordz; appropriately enough, the EP was titled Banned. A popular song from the album "Pocket Full of Stones" was also included on the Menace II Society soundtrack in 1993.
Their second album,
The year 2000 became a breakthrough year for the group. UGK made a high-profile guest appearance on Jay-Z's smash hit "Big Pimpin'" and also appeared on Three 6 Mafia's hit "Sippin' on Some Syrup". Both of these collaborations greatly increased their reputation, and helped fuel anticipation for their next project [citation needed]. Jive Records failed to capitalize on this new-found interest in the duo, as their fourth album, 2001's Dirty Money, came and went with little fanfare.
Further problems arose when
On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and was to be on parole until December 2009.[7][8] He released his first post-incarceration album, titled Pimpalation, on July 25, 2006.[9]
On August 7, 2007, the group released their fifth studio album, the self-titled
The album got a positive reception, both commercially and critically. It received a 4-star rating from Allmusic, and reached #1 on the
2007–09: Death of Pimp C and breakup
On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California, after Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 call. They arrived to his sixth-floor hotel room to find him dead in bed. This was three days after he performed with Too Short at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.[12][13]
Bun B was interviewed a few days later by radio DJ Madd Hatta, and an audio recording has been posted online.[14]
In 2008, Bun B stated in an interview that there would be one last UGK album released, before he permanently becomes a solo act: "Yea, we’re still putting together this last UGK record too, because there’s a lot of music that we’ve already recorded for it," said Bun B. "I think that album itself is going to be a little bit weird."[15] UGK 4 Life was released in 2009.
Style and influences
Bun B said that they grew up listening to the
Discography
Studio albums
- Too Hard to Swallow (1992)
- Super Tight (1994)
- Ridin' Dirty (1996)
- Dirty Money (2001)
- Underground Kingz (2007)
- UGK 4 Life (2009)
Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards | |||
| 2008 | "International Players Anthem" (featuring Outkast) | Video of the Year | Won |
| UGK | Best Group | Won | |
| BET Hip Hop Awards | |||
| 2007 | "International Players Anthem" (featuring Outkast) | Best Collabo, Duo or Group | Won |
| Best Hip Hop Video | Nominated | ||
Grammy Awards
| |||
| 2001 | "Big Pimpin'" (with Jay-Z) | Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Nominated |
| 2008 | "International Players Anthem" (featuring Outkast) | Nominated | |
| Ozone Awards | |||
| 2006 | UGK | Legend Award | Won |
| 2008 | Best Group | Won | |
| "International Players Anthem" (featuring Outkast) | Best Video | Won | |
| Underground Kingz | Best Album | Nominated | |
References
- Allmusic. Accessed December 9, 2007.
- Allmusic
- Allmusic. Accessed December 9, 2007
- ^ Harris, Chris. UGK's Pimp C To Be Released From Prison Within A Month. MTV News: December 6, 2005.
- Allmusic. Accessed December 9, 2007
- Allmusic: 2004
- ^ Rapper Pimp C Released from Prison. Associated Press/Billboard: December 30, 2005.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jayson. Ex-Con Pimpet C Juiced For UGK Album, Says He Has Lessons To Teach. MTV News: November 13, 2006.
- Allmusic: 2006
- ^ Allmusic: 2007
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan. UGK Dropping Double Album In December Billboard: October 25, 2006
- ^ "TMZ.com - Rapper Pimp C Found Dead(R.I.P.) in Hollywood Hotel Room (December 4, 2007)". Tmz.com. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "BillBoard.com - Report: UGK Rapper Pimp C Found Dead In L.A. (December 4, 2007)". Billboard.com. December 30, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bun B Interview". Hiphopdx.com. December 7, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ Burgess, Omar (March 10, 2008). "Bun B Says Another UGK Album Is Forthcoming | Hip Hop News >". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "Allmusic-UGK". AllMusic.
- ^ "Bun B Breaks Down The Origins of Trill to ASAP Rocky-Hip Hop DX". October 10, 2013.
- ^ "Allmusic-UGK". AllMusic.
External links
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
