UGK - Underground Kingz
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Free Music Notes for Underground Kingz
Free Music Review: The Year's Best and One Of The Greatest Albums Of All Time
Hit: 5 Stars
UGK, the veteran group from Port Arthur Texas consisting of group members Pimp C & Bun B, returns with their first official album 6 years. A lot has happened since the group last recorded together, including but not limited to two solo Pimp C albums, one Sweet James Jones Stories of which was released during his tenure in jail, and the other released as a coming home party like albumPimpalation as well as Bun B trying his hand soloTrill. While all three albums were great you had to admit that on those albums something was missing. While Pimp C was locked up, Bun B got busy and went to work trying to keep UGK's name alive. He collaborated with everyone imaginable from Ying Yang Twins to T.I. to Capone from CNN all the while incorporating "Free Pimp C" into all his records for 4 or 5 years. Everyone eagerly anticipated Pimp C's return from jail and Pimp's first recording when he got out proved to be a collaboration with T.I. entitled Front Back from his KING album in 2006King, which sampled the UGK classic Front Back & Side To Side Super Tight. And the rest as they say is history. Pimp C & Bun B continued to collaborate with artists appearing on songs with TPain, Dizzee Rascal, Talib Kweli, Nelly...everybody. After the album being pushed back almost a year to now, UGK had the task of ushering in the new generation who didn't really know too much about UGK and creating a satisfying album for the long time fans. One thing is for sure, UGK has not changed their style but they have gotten better with time.
It's been a while since they were introduced to the world through Three Six Mafia's Sippin On Some Syrup When the Smoke Clears and Jay-Z's Big Pimpin Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter but those two classic collaborations ring heavy in the minds of hip hop fans abroad, not just for fans of country rap tunes as Pimp C puts it. UGK had long put in work before that with pioneering albums such as Too Hard To SwallowToo Hard to Swallow, SuperTight, and Ridin DirtyRidin' Dirty. Ridin Dirty is considered one of the greatest albums from the south across the country. Simply put, UGK were legends in the south before they gained mainstream attention mentioned in the likes of other great southern groups like Eightball & MJG, Outkast, Goodie Mob, Geto Boys.
The history of UGK could go on forever so I will stop it there but for those that didn't know hope I informed you well enough. Now to the actual album.
UGK, Underground Kingz, is one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. Pimp C and Bun B continue to show their greatness and have comeback to capture the hip hop industry in a big way. This 30 track double album more than makes up for the time they spent away. The production is soulful and timeless, the lyrics and flows are heartfelt and classic, the features are all fitting. Pimp C recently called out the entire south because he felt that they(we) weren't putting enough social commentary into their albums. But as anything it's easier to show someone how to do it rather than tell them. UGK gives the perfect example for all acts to follow on this album. They are not preaching to you but they are giving knowledge through experiences and situations they see. Every song is a great song. I know some won't agree and believe that is an overstatement but I truly believe it. These two albums have not left the changer in two weeks and I've been playing it nonstop (I dl'ed it before hand but best believe I was at the store first...I mean it's UGK not Shop Boyz). But I can tell you that this double album is worth all your 12.99 at BB and more. I see Amazon is selling it at 7.99 which is an absolute steal...It would definitely be the best 7.99 you ever spent on music. Plus you also get a DVD with videos and interviews from the likes of Outkast, & Lil Wayne as well as David Banner and some others. The DVD is about 30 minutes.
It's pointless to go through and tell you my favorite songs because like I said before...every single song is 'Ridin' but if I had to pick then I would pick Gravy, Like That RMX ( ten times better than the original! WOW), Quit Hatin The South, Swishas & Doshas, Real Women, Shattered Dreams, How Long Can It Last, etc. etc. You get my point. As the title of my review states this is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's right up there with Aquemini, Illmatic, Me Against The World, Enter The 36 Chambers, College Dropout, Doggystyle, The Chronic, E. 1999 Eternal, and any other hip hop classic you can think of. I have a hard time believing anyone can come after this and do it better this year. I have a hard time believing UGK can top this album. I actually came out of "retirement" to write a review for this album.
It deserves ten stars and it's really blowing my mind...I'm searching for a flaw in this album and I just cannot find it. The lyrics are on point, the beats are all hot, the collaborations are fitting, there is not a song I don't like and only a select few in my extensive collection is like that. Even the bonus tracks are good ( Top Drop Dyne, Hit The Block, Players Anthem ft. Three Six Mafia).
UGK has released a monumental album and I advise you to buy the cd and see for yourself. I can't give it enough praise. 30 tracks, all hot, DVD..can't go wrong. It's the best album of the year (over Rich Boi - Don't sleep on that album!, T.I. vs. T.I.P., Common - Finding Forever, etc. etc.). This album deserves to do numbers, awards, the whole nine. The Return of the Trill...don't miss out!
Free Music Review: UGK - Underground Kingz
Hit: 4 Stars
Rap Veterans UGK (Pimp C, A.K.A. Chad Butler & Bun B, A.K.A. Bernard Freeman) provide their seventh album in "Underground Kingz" a double cd which features guest appearances from Outkast, Too $hort, Young T.O.E., DJ B-Doe, Slim Thug, Vicious, Middle Fingaz, Charlie Wilson, Willie D, Z-Ro, Scarface, Jazze Pha, Rick Ross, Dizzee Rascal, Pimpin' Ken, Talib Kweli Raheem DeVaughn, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, T.I. & Three Six Mafia. My favourite track on this release is the memorable single "International Player Anthem" (I Choose You) - produced by Three Six Mafia who sample singer Willie Hutch's "I Choose" You" and featuring Outkast - this is a star studded track that vibes real well. "The Game Belongs To Me" & "Gravy" are both on point contributions, found myself feeling the later more and more with each play. UGK rep southern rap with pride while talking to the haters on "Quit Hatin' the South", which features some soulful vocals from singer Charlie Wilson and an appearance from Willie D of the Geto Boys. On "Heaven", UGK contemplate on what the next life is going to be like for all the hustlers. Another highlight track I am feeling is "Trill N***** Don't Die" which features a guest appearance from Z-RO who got out of prison last month. UGK talk to the lord on the disc two opening track ""How Long Can It Last", while Charlie Wilson delivers some soulful background vocals. Scarface collaborates with the duo on a solid track in "Still Ridin' Dirty". Rick Ross and UGK provide a laidback track rhyming over some mellow production on "Cocaine". UGK then bring in English rapper Dizzee Rascal for "Two Type of B*****". The follow up track is a reversal of the former as UGK go on to pay tribute to the "Real Women" providing a upbeat quality track which features appearances from MC Talib Kweli and up and coming singer Raheem DeVaughn. Scarface laces UGK with smooth production on the laidback "Candy" which is track to cruise to. UGK delve deeper with "Shattered Dreams" feat. Sleepy Brown, reflecting on the journey and challenges they have faced - while dropping some Pac like rhymes. With over two decades in game UGK has a lot of longevity, they team up with East Coast Veterans Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap on the Marley Marl produced "Next Up". Another standout track for me is the somber "Living This Life", UGK shine on this track rhyming about looking for a better life, in a track which samples the Goodie Mob and Al Green (Free). Two more versions of "International Player Anthem" (I Choose You) are included - one chopped and screwed and one that features Three Six Mafia. One of the highlights of this release for me was having many of the South's Rap veteran's on the same album. "Underground Kingz" is a quality album worth adding to the collection. Free Music Review: Worth Tha Wait
Hit: 5 Stars
Man I Remember Being a lil dude watchin all of tha OG's in dey lacs ride by jammin uh "Pocket Full Of Stones"," Front Back" and other classics'. 15 yrs or more, here they are still goin hard in tha Paint. This is more of a Thank You instead of a review, because you boys' have earned tha crown KINGS OF THA South. I jus wish ya many more years' of Success. And By tha way this whole MUTHAF%ckn Cd is Jammin. UR Boi Nigel and tha rest of Kansas CityFree Music Review: UGK finally returns with a new group album - R.I.P. Pimp C
Hit: 4 Stars
The Trillest from the South, Bun B & Pimp C finally return after almost 6 years since their last group album (not counting the "Side Hustles" featuring UGK album or their "Hits" album). After almost a year of push back dates and being screwed by Jive (they like to do that - think Too $hort and Spice 1), the double album finally gets released. With Pimp C in jail for a while, Bun held down the group, with a Pimp C album released while he was in jail, then Bun B dropped a 4.5 star album and afew mixtapes, Pimp C was released and dropped a 4.5 star album (both albums were in the top 10 hip-hop albums for their year) and now they're back together.
Almost 20 years have passed since they dropped the underground "Banned" album in the late 80's, then in '92 dropped the decent "Too Hard To Swallow", then in '94 their 4.5 star "Super Tight...", then in '96 their classic "Ridin Dirty", then Jive screwed them over and waited over 5 years to release the decent "Dirty Money".
Now to 2007, this one has 28 songs on 2 discs, over 2 hrs. of music. Guests are on a little over half of them. 16-18 are good songs, 8-10 are ok, and 2 I skip, which leads me to the fact, this could have been a great 16 one disc album instead of a good 28 song 2 disc album. Each member is on 26 of the 28 songs. Production is nice. Pimp C does 7 songs, Below, Three-6 Mafia, Averexx, Jazze Pha all do 2 songs, Scarface does 3 songs, Marley Marl, N.O. Joe, Lil jon, Swizz Beatz, MoMo, Blackout Movement, John Bido, The Runners, DJ B-Doe all do 1 song. A good album to have in your colelction.
DISC 1
#1 - 9(nice beat)
#2 - 6.5 (f/ Outkast)
#3 - 8.5 (good beat)
#4 - 9.5 (f/ Too $hort -- great beat)
#5 - 6.5
#6 - 7
#7 - 8 (f/ Jazze Pha)
#8 - 9
#9 - 6.5 (Pimp C f/ Young Toe & DJ B-Doe)
#10 - 7.5 (f/ Slim Thug, Vicious, Middlefingaz)
#11 - 8 (f/ Charlie Wilson & Willie D)
#12 - 8
#13 - 7.5 (f/ Z-Ro)
DISC 2
#1 - 8.5 (f/ Charlie WilsoN)
#2 - 8.5
#3 - 6.5 (f/ Jazze Pha)
#4 - 8 (f/ Rick Ross)
#5 - 7 (f/ Dizzee Rascal)
#6 - 8.5 (Bun B f/ Talib Kweli & Raheem DeVaughn)
#7 - 8 (Bun B f/ Kai hicks)
#8 - 7
#9 - 8.5 (Pimp C solo -- nice beat)
#10 - 7.5
#11 - 8 (F/ Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap)
#12 - 6
#14 (Choped & screwed version of #15)
#15 - 8 (f/ Three-6 Mafia)
#16 - 5 (f/ TI)
BUN B -- Bernard Freeman --- b. 3/19/73 -- Port Arthur, TX
PIMP C -- Chad Butler -- b. 12/29/73 d. 12/4/07 -- Port Arthur, TX
check all my reviews
Free Music Review: The Game Belongs To Them.
Hit: 5 Stars
There's just so much to cover on UGK's Underground Kingz release, that it'd take far too many paragraphs of content to really describe this album in detail. I will tell you straight from the beginning that this is one of the smoothest hip-hop releases in years, drenched in Pimp C's blues-inspired production, and intricately laced with Bun's hardcore verses and Pimp's charismatic ramblings. One of hip-hop's greatest duos have finally returned, after being delayed over a year, to release this highly anticipated self-titled album; and while it may not be as powerful as Ridin' Dirty or Too Hard To Swallow, this will be an album that isn't quickly erased from true head's memories.
The albums highlights include the two singles released thus far, The Game Belongs To Me and Int'l Players Anthem. The first of these two singles features some of Pimp C's dopest production, as it rocks a funky, yet hard beat that was southern fried to perfection. Pimp C's sing-song "Bobby by the pound, Whitney by the key" chorus will have you hypnotized, and Pimp's hilarious proclamations of "call me Mick Jagger, 'cause I roll a lotta stones" will have you cracking up. Bun B's verse is one of his signature hard-hitters, where he steals the show. Int'l Players Anthem features fellow down south legends, and possibly the undisputed greatest duo in hip-hop, OutKast. With four of the dopest emcees ever coming outta the game on the same track, we knew this'd be great; and with a phat beat from Three 6 Mafia, this track goes well and beyond dope. Andre's first verse sets the song off right, as he kicks his usual off-beat verse that's still somehow brilliant in execution. Both Pimp and Bun step up next, with Pimp spitting memorable lines like "you ain't a pimp, you a fairy!" Big Boi follows with a killer verse, closing the dopest posse cut of the year.
If you're a fan of mood-enhancing drugs, then there's plenty of prime cuts to choose from on this album. Swishas and Dosha, which is the intro, features a prevalent beat that sets up the return for these two champions to walk down the red carpet set up for them. Pimp C sings the chorus, and rocks the first verse with some sizzurp-inspired rhymes; Bun B comes in on the second, and tears the house down. Pimp then addresses haters on the third verse, which he's definitely gotten a bunch of since his release from prison; Bun B closes the song by enforcing Pimp's views. Cocaine features a verse that was celebrated for the past few months by Bun B, in which Bun attacks Bush for being a dealer and a fan. Pimp, and the guest on the track, Rick Ross both hold their own; especially the Bawwwwwssss who shows haters that they need to give Ricky Raws a second chance. Shattered Dreams, with a smooth chorus from Sleepy Brown, will have anyone tripping, and both Bun and Pimp get personal on this track; which is something they do even more prominently on the album closer, Living This Life.
While this album is very laid back, there's definitely a few cuts that'll get heads crunk. Like That and its remix are both dope tracks, laced with phat beats from Lil Jon(original) and Steve Below(remix). For once, the remix is better than the original, and while both are good, it's clear this remix was an improvement. All three Jazze Pha joints are surprisingly tight; i don't usually appreciate Jazze's work, but UGK are one of the few acts who can rock his beats and make them sound good, as evidenced on Stop-N-Go, Gravy, and Tell Me How Ya Feel. The Miami underdogs, The Runners, also produce the ill posse cut Take Tha Hood Back, featuring Slim Thug among others, that could certainly rock the clubs.
Guest are wide and varied. From suspected fellow veterans Too $hort and Scarface appearing on Life Is 2009(which Scarface produces) and Still Ridin' Dirty, respectively, to unsuspected legends like Kool G. Rap and Big Daddy Kane on Next Up, all the guests who appear bring their a-game to shine along with Pimp and Bun. Dizzee Rascal and Talib Kweli even appear on two different tracks(which are polar-opposites), Two Types of B****es and Real Women. The bonus tracks also feature two dope variations of IPA(with Three 6 Mafia, one being regular and one being C&S) and a Swizz Beats track, Hit The Block, featuring Tip, which is a nice, energetic change of pace.
Some may complain there's filler on this album, but this album is consistent, and dope from the beginning. Support UGK, and get this when it comes out. There'll be few albums this dope in '07.