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6 of 7 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
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
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
get it! PimpC r.i.p., February 14, 2008
Get the CD so you can appreciate the great album pics! Tons of great songs on here. Make me wanna get out there and stay on my grind. That's too bad bout Pimp C. Codeine's a helluva drug seems. But on the real, this is one of the better rap CDs I've heard in a while, from a production stand point.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ridin Dirty....Still!, December 6, 2007
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!!!!!
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