Words by Khalid Strickland

The first time Bun B soldiered on without his UGK co-defendant Pimp C, fans of the revered Port Arthur, Texas duo didn’t fret. Bun capably held shit down as a solo artist and the faithful knew that the pair would be reunited once Pimp finished his prison bid. But only two years after Pimp came home from the bing, Bun B was on his own once again. However, this time there would be no reunion down the road. Chad Butler a.k.a. Pimp C passed away in his sleep on December 4th 2007 and the U.G.K. that we’ve come to know and love would never be the same again.

Before he returned to the essence, Pimp C recorded enough material for both his upcoming solo album and UGK 4 Life, the group’s last hurrah. UGK 4 Life is slated for release on March 31st but I recently attended a listening session for the album at the offices of Jive Records. The joints I heard were tight and Pimp C’s patented, slow-burning beats anchor the project. Production-wise Mannie Fresh, Cory Mo and Steve Below provide timely assists. “Swishas and Erb” featuring Sleepy Brown is a standout. Another crown jewel is “Used To Be,” where B. Legit, E-40 and 8Ball & MJG trade raw bars with Bun and Pimp. Akon may be spreading himself thin, but his voice and production sounds fresh on “Hard As Hell.” Too Short, Big Gipp, Ron Isley, Lil’ Boosie and Webbie also make notable appearances. Despite the extra star-power, UGK 4 Life focuses squarely on Bun B and Pimp C. Rightfully so. After all, this is their last studio album together.

At the end of the listening session, Bun B himself appeared in Jive’s conference room and received applause from the journalists assembled. After he thanked everyone who participated, I spoke to Bun briefly about UGK 4 Life. Before finally meeting him, I’d heard from several folks that Bun is one of the coolest, most down-to-earth dudes in the game. They were right.

“To me, this is the perfect way to wrap-up the musical legacy of UGK as a group,” Bun explained. “Of course I will still carry this legacy on my back as a solo artist in memory of my brother. For me, this is an album that the fans need. It wasn’t really about placating myself as an artist and feeding into my ego… and go and get a bunch of Just Blaze and Timbaland and Lil’ Wayne and all these people on this album. I wanted this album to make sense to everybody who supported UGK over this seventeen-year career, and I think we did that.”

After grieving for so long after his partner’s untimely death, I asked Bun if he felt a sense of closure with the release of the group’s final album.

“As far as UGK, yes… absolutely,” he replied. “I feel like this is the bang we’re supposed to go out in. I’ve got another solo album coming for myself, there’s also another Pimp C solo album that his wife is getting ready to put out in another month and a half; right after this UGK album. (I will) continue to carry this UGK legacy, Trill movement and the South on my back.”

We shook hands, snapped a couple of flicks and Bun B was whisked away by his publicists and staff. UGK 4 Life continued to play, so I chilled before my next assignment to soak it in one more time. It really is a good album and provides a fitting end to a pimpalicious, stone-slangin’ era. Spend your money for once and support some dope music.

UGK’s last album, UGK 4 Life, is in stores on 3.31.09.

Previously Posted — Bun B x Scion Live Metro @ Karma 12.17.08