Underground Kingz

UGK | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B000K7UFL2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,130 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #49 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Southern Rap

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Cocaine - Featuring Rick Ross

3. The Game Belongs To Me

4. Tell Me How Ya Feel -Featuring Jazze Pha

5. How Long Can It Last-Featuring Charlie Wilson

6. Players Anthem- Featuring Three 6 Mafia

7. Two Type of Bitches- Featuring Dizzee Rascal

8. Candy

9. Quit Hatin' The South-Featuring Charlie Wilson and Willie D

10. Next Up-Featuring Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap

11. Heaven

12. Still Ridin' Dirty

13. Hit The Block -Featuring T.I.

14. Trill Niggas Don't Die-Featuring Z-Ro

15. Take Tha Hood Back- Featuring Slim Thug, Vicious and Middle Fingaz

16. Stop-N-Go- Featuring Jazze Pha

17. Again-Featuring Ronald Isley

18. Real Women- Featuring Talib Kweli and Raheem DeVaughn

19. Shattered Dreams-Featuring Sleepy Brown

20. Chrome Plated Woman

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For starters, some props. Thanks to Scarface and especially Joshua Lopez, the pair of overly indulgent discs on UGK's 29-track opus boasts the best hip-hop guitar work since the turn of the millennium. Almost to the last track, Texans Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman coax deeply visceral, classic soul-funk mojo from their collaborators on the six-strings. UGK once helped put the Houston rap scene on the national map, circa albums like Super Tight…(1994) and Ridin' Dirty (1996), but Underground Kingz celebrates Pimp C's release from a three-year incarceration. Fittingly, a various and pedigreed roster of guests drops respectful cameos, including Talib Kweli ("Real Women"), Too Short ("Life is 2009"), Outkast and Three 6 Mafia ("Int'l Players Anthem"), Big Daddy Kane ("Next Up"), and Dizzee Rascal. Lyrically, most of this double-hammer drops in verses short on skill and long on cliché. But there's an awful lot here, and moments really stick. The choral harmonies of "The Games Belong to Me," for example, move in impeccably languid cool, sashaying across the stereophonic spectrum in rock-solid testament to UGK's continued provincial dominance. --Jason Kirk

Product Description

UGK's first Jive release, the gold-certified Ridin' Dirty, entered Billboard's Top 200 at #15. Their long-awaited sophomore release. Dirty Money, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Rap Album Chart, #2 on the R & B Album Chart, and #18 in the Top 200 chart, scanning almost 100,000 units in its first week. What makes this even more impressive is that UGK had not released a record in 5 years a real testament to the loyalty of their fans. While the fans clamored or more, in 2000 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 Da Syrup' later the very same year. It's been a while, and IGK has a lot to say! Underground Kingz is a special 2 CD set! Not only that, folks celebrating UGK's return are a veritable who's who of the inner circle, and they lined up to lend their talents for UGK's eighth. They include Three 6 Mafia, Lil Joh, Scarface, Mannie Fresh, Too Short, T.I., Rick Ross, Slim Thugz, Sleepy Brown, Young Jeezy, Charlie Wilson, Swizz Beatz, Andre 3000, and more! Key cuts include 'Like Dat,' produced by Lil Jon, 'Back on the Slab,' produced by Jazze Pha, and 'In the Past,' featuring Charlie Wilson! In 2006, UGK is free and pimpin' again, just like you wish you could. Their self-titled, highly anticipated, star-studded, and no holds barred release is simply put the perfect stocking stuffer!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars J.R. (Pimp C) and Bobby (Bun-B) Ewing release a 2 CD set of more country rap tunes. August 10, 2007

By J. Highsmith

Format:Audio CD

UGK has been one of my favorite Down South rap groups for awhile along with Scarface & The Geto Boys, Outkast and 8Ball & MJG. The last CD that UGK released as a group was 2001's Dirty Money. The CD was a collection of 10 new tracks, "Wood Wheel" which was on J-Prince Presents: Realest Down South, "Take It Off" which was on the "Corruptor" soundtrack, "Pimpin' Ain't No Illusion" which was on a CD single with a track called "Belts To Match", which was out atleast a year before "Dirty Money" was released and "Money, H***, and Power" which was on JD's "Instructions" CD. My favorite tracks from "Dirty Money" ended up being "Choppin' Blades", "Look At Me", "Gold Grill" w/8Ball & MJG, "Holdin' Na" w/C-Note and the title track. Purchasing "Dirty Money" made me go back and buy the rest of the UGK CD catalog: Ridin' Dirty,Super Tight..., and Too Hard to Swallow were quickly added to my CD collection, with "Ridin' Dirty" being my favorite out of all 4 CDs with tracks like "Diamonds & Wood", "One Day", "Pinky Ring", "F____ My Car", "Murder" and the title track being my favorites.

UGK is definitely one of the pioneers of the Down South rap music scene. However, with Jive Records basically fumbling the way that "Dirty Money" was handled overall and Pimp C's troubles with the law, it was up to Bun B to keep the UGK name alive (not that it needed too much help with the other 4 CDs still on the shelves).... Although he admitted on the track "The Story" from "Trill" that he struggled during this time, in the end he knew what he had to do. Bun-B started getting on the grind and doing numerous guest appearances. He was featured on CDs from Scarface, 8Ball & MJG, David Banner, TI, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Beanie Sigel, and Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz. Bun B was also featured on a track called "I's A Playa" that was on Sweet James Jones Stories, a CD that Pimp C had been working on before he went to jail that Rap A Lot tried to patch together and create a full length CD from. Twista and Z-Ro were also featured on the track, but other than "Hogg In The Game", "Comin' Up" with Lil Flip and Z-Ro, "I's A Playa", "Swang Low/A Key" and a couple of other tracks there wasn't too much to talk about.

Bun-B released his solo CD Trill once he created enough of a buzz to keep the UGK name current with an assortment of talent from Down South. My favorite track hands down was "Get Throwed" which featured Bun-B with Pimp C, Jay-Z and Young Jeezy, "The Story", "Draped Up", "Trill Recognize Trill w/Ludacris, "Pushin'" with Scarface and Young Jeezy and the "Draped Up (Remix)". Once Pimp C was released from jail, Rap A Lot quickly released a DVD entitled "Pimpalation" to let you know what Pimp C had been up to and to let you know about some guest appearances that he had already worked on once he was released from jail such as E-40's "White Girl" which was a track that also featured Juelz Santana, Bun B and Pimp C and "Chunk Up The Deuce" which was a track that had UGK with Paul Wall and Lil Keke. Pimp C then released the CD Pimpalation which featured my favorite track "Knockin' Doors Down" with Lil Keke and P.O.P., as well as, "Pourin' Up" with Bun B and Mike Jones, "Bobby & Whitney" w/8Ball & MJG, "Free" and "Rock 4 Rock" w/Scarface, Bun B and Willie D.

Finally, I started hearing a buzz that UGK would be releasing a CD on Jive Records before they made anymore major moves as a group. As always, I was skeptical because Jive Records always finds a way to mess up something that a rap act on their label tries to do. However, I felt like it was finally time for them to finally do right by UGK. The first track that I actually heard from this project was "The Game Belongs To Me". This track was vintage UGK and after hearing the song and seeing the video on MTV Jams a couple of times I was ready to hear more. I was listening to Shade 45 one night and they said that they had a new UGK and Outkast track and I was fortunate to hear the "Internaional Players Anthem" which definitely gave me a sign of what I should expect from the new UGK project. Andre 3000 basically sets the pace from the beginning of the track just like he did on Rich Boy's "Throw Some D's" (Remix) and on Devin The Dude's "What A Job" from his latest disc "Waitin' To Inhale" and UGK and Big Boi finish things off strong. When I found out that UGK was releasing a double CD of new material it just made me more anxious to hear the project. However, as Jive Records is known to do, just ask Clipse, the project kept getting pushed back and back.

On August 7th, 2007, "Underground Kingz" was released by "Richard" Chaney and Tony Snow and if you have ever been a fan of UGK you will be impressed by the majority of the material.

Disc 1

Things couldn't get off to any better of a start with "Swisha & Dosha". As soon as you hear the track, you will be reminded of your favorite tracks from Pimp C and Bun B from the past. Pimp C shouts out people he considers to be "trill" that are in the rap game such as 8Ball & MJG, Devin The Dude and Too Short and Bun B compliments the verse well as he is always known to do. "Chrome Plated Woman" is a decent track but once you put together your favorite tracks from the CD this will just end up being an average track. However, things get better fast with UGK paying tribute to Too Short's "Life Is Too Short" on "Life Is 2009". Scarface produces a nice update on the original track and Short Dog himself even joins in on the track as this song is easily one of my favorites on Disc 1. "Like That" (Remix) is clearly better than the original track that was produced by Lil Jon on Disc 2 as reviewer "Enlightened" pointed out. In reality, UGK should have just made this version the original track and told Lil Jon that we're not going to put the actual original version on this double CD set. "Gravy" continues the trend of A+ country rap tunes on Disc 1 as you will see why you won't want to wait 6 years before there is another UGK release like we did since "Dirty Money" was released. The title track is nice as well. I just wish Pimp C wouldn't have been saying "Kaaaaaannggzzzz!!!!" all over the track. The verses work for me, as well as, the Pimp C beat. The Runners produce a certified banger with "Take Tha Hood Back" which features Slim Thug on the hook, along with Vicious and Bun B's crew, Middle Fingaz. The track basically addresses snitches and fake "trill" n***** and what they should be subject to if the boys in the neighborhood find out about them. "Quit Hatin' The South" is a smooth track that samples Lattimore's "Let's Straighten It Out". The track also features Charlie Wilson and Willie D, who even raps in a monotone style instead of screaming like he is known for doing in the majority of his tracks. "Heaven" is a change of pace as far as the lyrical content of the track. Pimp C and Bun B wonder if there is a place for the hustlers in the street after their life of doing dirt is over. The first CD ends off on a good note with "Trill N***** Don't Die". The track takes the chorus from NWA's "Real N***** Don't Die" from their "EFIL 4 ZAGGIN" CD. Z-Ro gives a nice assist to UGK on the track and the song has you looking forward to popping in the second disc.

Disc 2

"How Long Can It Last", which features Charlie Wilson, easily became one of my favorite tracks because I instantly noticed the sample of one of my favorite old school slow jams in One Way's "Something From The Past". UGK wonders how long they can live and survive in the streets based on the life that they are living. Scarface produces another banger in "Still Ridin' Dirty". The track puts you in the mode of a track that would have been on Face's "Untouchable" or "The Diary" CD. UGK's lyrics are on point as usual and you will have yourself wishing that Scarface would have blessesd us with a fresh 16 bars on the track. Jazze Pha produces one of the few commercial tracks that are on this CD in "Stop-N-Go". However, Bun B's and Pimp C's lyrics will quickly help you forget that aspect of the track. The only thing that will have you not wanting to listen to the track is Jazze Pha trying to rap at the end of the track. He shoould just stick to saying this is a Jazzephizzleproductshizzle and saying "Ladies and Gentlemen!!!!!!". "Cocaine" is a track that has Pimp C talking about one of his favorite topics of choice. Rick Ross is also featured on the track and who better to make a guest appearance than the guy who was "Pushin' It To The Limit" all last year. "Real Women" basically ends up being a remix to Raheem DeVaughn's "Guess Who Loves You More" that was featured on The Love Experience. Talib Kweli also blends in very well on the track. Talib Kweli also has UGK and Raheem DeVaughn on a track entitled "Country Cousins" that is supposed to be featured on his upcoming CD Ear Drum that is scheduled to be released on August 21, 2007. "Candy" ends up being a smooth track that has Bun B taking a ride by himself with singer Kai Hicks. Scarface definitely impressed me with his production on this track as well. Jazze Pha shows up once again on "Tell Me How Ya Feel", eventhough, I originally thought that Mannie Fresh produced the track. You'll be glad that Jazze Pha stayed off of the microphone this time around. Now for a track that you would have never expected on a UGK CD: Marley Marl produces a track that has UGK, Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap on one song. This track is definitely nice, however, as much as I like UGK, I never thought that I would hear Bun B out rap Big Daddy Kane. I was thoroughly impressed with UGK's performance on the track, as Kool G. Rap gives them a run for their money on "Next Up". It's basically a 2007 version of "The Symphony". "Living This Life" ends this double CD set perfectly. N.O. Joe produces the track just as nice as the work that he did on early Scarface CDs and on my favorite UGK CD, "Ridin' Dirty".

As a bonus, you get a version of "International Player's Anthem" with Three 6 Mafia, a chopped and screwed version of the same track, "Top Drop Dyne" with Cory Mo and a track entitled "Hit The Block" which features TI and is produced by Swizz Beatz. "Hit The Block" may grow on you after awhile but you will clearly see why it was a bonus track. There are some songs that you may not want to listen to on this double CD set such as "Like That" (the original version), "Grind Hard" and "2 Types Of B______" but when you have 29 tracks and an Outro on a CD and there are only 3 songs that I don't like, it's hard to go wrong. There are times when the CD gets repetitive, especially when Pimp C and Bun B start to rhyme similar lines in different songs, but there aren't enough faults on this 2 CD set to not give "Underground Kingz" a solid 4 to 5 star rating. My personal rating would be a 4.5 out of 5.

Overall, I have to applaud Jive Records for once for finally doing right by UGK. I don't know what UGK had to do to get Jive to step their game up but the final product gives you over 20 tracks from UGK that are vintage "Ridin' Dirty" UGK and that's all I can ask for as a consumer with the rap game the way it is now. UGK and Jive Records deserves alot of credit for this release. If you like any of UGK's previous releases you should pick up this double CD set.

James' Top 8

1) Still Ridin' Dirty w/Scarface (on the hook)
2) Swisha & Dosha
3) Life Is.... 2009 w/Too Short
4) Gravy
5) Living This Life
6) Like That (Remix)
7) How Long Will It Last w/Charlie Wilson
8) International Players Anthem w/Outkast

Honorable Mention:

The Game Belongs To Me
Trill N______ Don't Die w/Z-Ro
Real Women w/Talib Kweli & Raheem DeVaughn
Next Up w/Big Daddy Kane & Kool G. Rap
Candy Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Ridin Dirty....Still! December 6, 2007

By Nuisance

Format:Audio CD

UGK has been through ups and downs in the game. They put out 4 classic album on Jive Records that were poorly promoted. They had to deal with the general manager screwing them and Pimp C was in and out of jail. When Dirty Money(their best album at that time) came out, Pimp C was already doing time. He still had The Sweet James Jones Story released and Bun B finally dropped Trill in 2005. Pimp C was finally released in 2006 and dropped Pimpalation in 2006. Now after 6 years of waiting, Ugk drop their best work to date: Underground Kingz. There are many tracks where they both shine like the Intro, Gravy, The Game Belongs To Me(the hook is hilarious) Still Ridin Dirty(feat Scarface) etc. Andre 3000(who is beginning to sound more like spoken word artist than a rapper) and Big Boi make their presense felt in International Player's Anthem(I Choose You). The original version with Three 6 Mafia is cool with me also. Memories are brought back with a masterful update of Life Is with Life Is 2007. Trill N****z Dont Die(feat Z-Ro) and Grind Hard(feat Young T.O.E.) are also notable tracks. Take Tha Hood Back(feat Slim Thug, Vicious and Middle Fingaz)is an anti-snitch anthem that works as UGK blast those that violate the game while Slim Thug provides a climatic hook. Top Drop Dyne is that vintage chevy music track. Quit Hatin The South(feat Willie D and Charlie Wilson) is self-explanatory(if you can read into the title) as UGK and Willie D blasts those bums who pop s*** about the south over the internet but are cowards in their faces. I feel them on that but I hope this doesnt get out of hand. Rick Ross makes a decent appearance on Cocaine but Pimp C set that track off. Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap make a great appearance on Next Up.... Living This Life is cool and Pimp C surprised me when he was mentioning books that I read when I first became conscious. Makes me wonder how many other rappers are brighter than what they let on( think David Banner). This double album is not without flaws. Candy is corny and Two Types of B*****s(feat Dizzee Rascal and Pimpin Ken) is wack. Even though I like the remix of Like That, the original is too plain. Country Cousins on Talib's Eardrum was great but Real Women(also feat Talib Kweli and Raheem Devaughn) is questionable. Not everybody sounds great over Swizz's monotonous beats and UGK and TI is no exception, so you know Hit The Block is a mistake(even if their rhymes on that track wasnt bad). Tell Me How You Feel and the chopped and screwed version of International Players Anthem are tracks that I dont care for. Bottom Line: Despite these missteps, this is UGK's best work to date. You can definetely feel the effort in their album and it will takes it place among other great double albums that have been released in the past. Standout Tracks: on Disc 1 and 2: COCAINE, QUIT HATIN THE SOUTH, INT'L PLAYER'S ANTHEM(Outkast and Three 6 version), TRILL N****S DONT DIE, TAKE THA HOOD BACK, TOP DROP DYNE, GRAVY, STILL RIDIN DIRTY, LIKE THAT(REMIX) and HOW LONG CAN IT LAST.

SMOKE SOMETHIN B****!!! HOLD UP!! KNOW WHAT IM TALKIN BOUT!!!

REST IN PEACE PIMP C!!!!! Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars UGK 4 Life - Rest in Peace Pimp C December 4, 2007

By LT Twalo

Format:Audio CD

I was listening to 'The Game Belongs To Me' literally 10 minutes ago when I heard that Pimp C was no longer. I just got their latest CD a week ago from Amazon.com and I've been bumping it ever since.

Like the news I heard today, the album took me by complete surprise. I've never been a UGK fan, I first came across them on the "Don't Be Menace to South Central..." Soundtrack and I thought they had a nice track but I was not moved by their skills behind the MIC. I later heard them on 'Big Pimpin' with Jay-Z. That's when I started to take Bun B seriously but not enough to actually buy any of their music. However in 04/05 after Pimp's incarceration Bun B got on his grind and started putting in some real work in. He was literally featured on every Southern Artist's album and used every opportunity to shout "Free Pimp C" which became his motto. If I wasn't a fan before, this man's work ethic made me one. I see Lil Wayne is following the same path. I bought Bun B's solo CD "Trill" which was one of my favourite 05 CDs.

Fast forward to 2007 & Pimp C is home and UGK are back with a very ambitious double CD. I knew I would eventually buy this album but to be honest I never thought that they could hold down a double CD. I started reading the reviews on Amazon and other websites and they all had good things to say about this album so I decided to buy the CD, along with the new Jay-Z, the Little Brother CD, Chamillionaire and two other CDs I have procrastinated on which are Pharoah Monche's "Desire" and Blu & Exile's "Below The Heaven's". UGK was the one I was least excited about but after hearing the 1st couple of tracks all that changed. Only Jay-Z's "American Gangster" has gotten more spins....

The album kicks off with 'Swisha & Dosha' which sets the tone for the rest of the album with a funk\soul sample that channels that old 90s rap era feeling. 'The Game Belongs To Me', 'Gravy', 'Heaven', 'Quit Hatin' The South' and 'Int'l Players Anthem' are all fine examples of what I'm talking. and that is just on Disc 1. To add to that you have two veterans going in hard, Pimp C especially really wigs out on the hard hitting 'Quit Hatin' The South'. I always say that I'd rather listen to an average rapper with something to say than a super lyricist with no substance & Pimp C has something to say on this album. He tears the detractors down 'Quit Hatin' The South' and throughout the double CD.

By the time the horns fade out on 'Thrill N**** Don't Die' you don't want to put the 2nd disc in because you know it can't get any better, that is until you hear the opening track of disc 2 'How Long Can It Last', a laid back track that has Bun & Pimp lamenting the ills of the fast life. Charlie Wilson complements the track perfectly on the hook. Scarface produces the next track 'Still Ridin' Dirty' and if you are not convinced UGK is the real deal by now, nothing will convince you. Disc 2 does not let up on the momentum and although it has a few missteps the overall quality is impeccable. This album stacks up against any Hip-Hop double CD, bar none.

There are so many other hot tracks on the album 'Take The Hood Back', 'Cocaine', 'Livin This Life' to name but a few.

I never heard their other CDs so I cannot compare but I feel like Pimp C was born to make this CD & it is also represents Bun B's vindication. He started shouting free Pimp C 5yrs ago and now we all know why. I'm not sure if I wouldn't have written this review if I hadn't heard the news but believe me when I say that it wouldn't have changed the rating. This CD is hot. Read more ›