TSS: What was the one instance that was the hardest in the making of the album?

Bun B: The first day. It got easier as it got on. But it was the first day. Having to come to the realization that he is dead. I had to actually say it in the room. Like I said, it was a very harsh reality to deal with for everyone involved. Because it was group thing, every day got easier for everyone as you talk it out. You laugh shit out. You cry shit out. But you gotta talk it out and move through it. You can’t just act like it didn’t happen.

TSS: I asked Scarface this question when I talked to him and I thought I’d ask you since you both are closing chapters in your careers. Do you think the 2009 Hip Hop Honors has a spot for UGK?

Bun B: Naw not at all. I would be very offended if they went to UGK before they did Geto Boys. I would personally be offended. I could understand them doing it possibly based on the situation that’s going on right now and our presence in the marketplace. But with that being said, there’s a certain lineage you kind of have to go down. There’s a time line you have to follow. You have to go through Geto Boys and 2 Live Crew before you go to UGK.

TSS: But you definitely think you’ll go at some point right?

Bun B: At some point if they keep the show going. We’ll probably make the 8th edition. I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all. If I’m the last person on the last show, that’s fine with me. Just squeeze me in somewhere. Put me in during the closing credits I don’t give a shit. I went through so much of my career without acknowledgment that at this point, you know, it’s whatever. I don’t knock it, but I don’t twiddle my thumbs sitting around waiting on it.

TSS: How does it feel, then, that you went such a long time without that exposure?

Bun B: I mean, I paid the bills. I wasn’t lacking for anything except maybe attention and I’m not really a brat type person. Shit didn’t really bother me. We made good money. We had a lot of fans. I wasn’t concerned with people that didn’t like me. I had a gang of people that did. More than anything we wanted acceptance from our peers. But the media and shit, that’s for other people. Me being on MTV, that really ain’t for me. That’s for other people. That’s for my mom and cousins and kids to run around for. That’s not really for me. If you’re more excited about you being on MTV than other people you got a problem. You might wanna move the mirrors in the house.

TSS: So you guys are going to do the UGK album, your album and the last Pimp album his wife is putting out?

Bun B: That’s coming after this album. I’m going to wait for mine until after the Pimp C album. Because I can build my own momentum for my solo album but I want to give them the momentum for the UGK album to promote and push the Pimp C album.

TSS: Have you thought about what you’re doing when these albums are done?

Bun B: I’ll probably still be doing more music. I’m looking to branch out to other aspects of the game, put other people on. You know I got the West Coast division of II Trill Entertainment, working with the Gutta Boys and Coalition Productions. I got my East Coast division of II Trill Entertainment, Manhood Entertainment out of Brooklyn working with some R&B acts. Just trying to branch out, usher in the next generation of MCs and producers and what have you. Of course I’m still working with the Middle Fingaz out in Houston. They’re getting ready to release their mixtape through Koch. Then we’re coming with a full-length album later in the year. Just trying to stay positive, stay focused and stay motivated.

TSS: Before I let you go, back to that Hip Hop Honors question. You guys get it, what song do they have to perform on the stage?

Bun B: Being that it’s televised, they’re going to have to do something quintessentially Pimp C. They have to do “Take It Off.” It’s easy to do “Pocket Full of Stones” and “One Day” and all of that but they would have to do something that Pimp would have wanted to do that you don’t normally get to see. They have to do something that’s going to be bleeped hard, strong, major. I would love to see someone like Too Short go on VH1 and say “Take it off, bitch/ bend over let me see it.” That would be it. That’s good money.

TSS: I feel ya, man. Thanks a lot.

Bun B: Thank you, boss.

UGK 4 Life lands in stores everywhere on 3.31.09.