Despite II Trill being Bun B’s second solo album, both have been Pimp C’s just as much as his own. 2005′s Trill was a vehicle to keep an incarcerated Pimp C on the mouths and minds of everyone within earshot as Bun carried the banner of U.G.K. and Port Arthur, Texas on his shoulders. Fast forward to 2008 and due to the untimely passing of Pimp C, II Trill is dually a Bun B solo album as well as an opportunity for other’s to stop by and pay their respects to the late Chad Butler. With the loss fresh on his mind, Bun put his nose to the grindstone as he lyrically keeps this album afloat overcoming too many guest appearances and questionable beat selections.

Starting out the gate strong with “That’s Gangsta,” Bun breaks down what it exactly means to be one for anyone unsure of the term. J.R. Rotem gives him a beat strong enough to match the intensity of his words as Sean Kingston provides a great hook performance as he prepares for the second act of his career. On “Damn I’m Cold,” Lil’ Wayne puts down the styrofoam cup long enough to give Bun an adequate sparring partner as the two go back and forth on coming up in the game. Bun connects with Lupe Fiasco on “Swang On ‘Em” to set the ground rules for visitors to the South. The marching band backdrop give the two emcees a versatile sound bed where they can both spit at a comfortable pace.

However, on the chintzy “My Block,” Bun dwells a little too long on the subject of holding down his corner. Lyrically things are redundant while Jazze Pha goes haywire on the keyboard as this song gets dangerously close to sounding like “That’s Gangsta Pt. 2.” Mr. Sho’nuff also sounds straight up foolish on the hook, coming off as a poor man’s Sean Kingston (ironic ain’t it?) Bun wisely switches things up on tracks like “Get Cha Issue,” unapologetically airing out corrupt clergy men, police, & politicians and “If It Was Up To Me,” where he files grievances about disparity between the hood & ‘burbs. Contemplating his own mortality, as many do when death hits so close, Lyfe Jennings and Young Buck ride shotgun on “If I Die 2Nite” as Bun looks back on the times he’s rubbed noses with the Reaper.

Gone but not forgotten, Sweet James Jones’ presence is naturally felt throughout II Trill. “Underground Thang” features Pimp C’s animated vocals and is a great reminder why he was so beloved to begin with. Never one to hold his tongue, he even manages to put his comments to verse which he caught flack for last year calling out the city of Atlanta. “Pop It For Pimp,” featuring Juvenile and Webbie is probably the most fitting tribute in theory there could be for Pimp, but sadly it had to sample Juve’s “Back That Azz Up.” It took 8 bars for Juve to realize that this wasn’t his song and Pimp deserved better. “Angel In The Sky” is Bun’s solo tribute/send off for Pimp and it’s just that, a fitting tribute to a lost comrade.

Ultimately II Trill succeeds when Bun is left to his own devices and able to make a song his own. He gets lost in the crowd on songs like “You’re Everything” and “Another Soldier.” But the biggest misstep is in terms of overall production. The keyboard & synth heavy beats run heavy and at times border on generic. It’s a testament to Bun’s charisma on the mic and lyrical skills that he was able to overcome the flawed production. Overall this is another solid effort, but falls just short of the original Trill mainly due to beat selection. Just one more example of why Pimp C is missed.

3.5 CIGARETTES

Previously Posted — “‘Still II Trill…’ – II Trill Bonus Tracks” | Notable Quotable – Bun B’s “Get Cha Issue”