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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bun B releases solo CD #2 with Pimp C heavy on his heart., May 30, 2008
I made my first UGK purchase in the year 2001 when I bought Dirty Money. I had previously heard the track "Wood Wheel" and when I saw that the song was on this particular CD, that is what finally made me decide to check out a UGK CD. After hearing songs such as "Choppin' Blades", "Look At Me" and "Ain't That A B____", I decided to pick up the rest of UGK's discography at the time. UGK had previously released Too Hard to Swallow, Super Tight..., and what ended up being my all time UGK favorite, Ridin' Dirty.
When Pimp C had to do some time, Bun B maintained the UGK name as he was featured on various guest appearances ranging from collaborations with Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Lil Jon, David Banner, Young Jeezy, Juvenile, Webbie and others. In 2005, while Pimp C was still incarcerated, Bun B dropped his first solo CD entitled Trill. My favorite track was clearly "Get Throwed", which featured Bun B with Pimp C, Jay Z and Young Jeezy. My other favorites included "The Story", "Pushin'" w/Scarface & Young Jeezy, "Trill Recognize Trill" w/Ludacris and I'm Fresh" w/Mannie Fresh. Once Pimp C was freed from jail, he released the compilation CD entitled Pimpalation. Obviously, a new UGK CD was in the works and various release dates were being brought out. Finally, in August of '07 we were blessed with a double CD of all new UGK songs on Underground Kingz. The first 2 singles were "The Game Belongs To Me" and "International Players Anthem" w/Outkast. There were atleast 20 tracks that I enjoyed personally and I am sure that the majority of UGK's fans were pleased with the effort as well.
Big plans were in the works with another Bun B solo CD that was in the making and I was driving home from work one day and I heard all of these UGK tracks playing in succession. When they finally got to a commercial that's when it was announced that Chad "Pimp C" Butler had passed away on December 4, 2007. For a second, I had to remember that yeah I am a UGK fan so I will miss him on the microphone but this man also had a wife, children, and family who loved him very much and would miss him way more than I would've. I was also curious to see how Bun B was doing during this time. I would go on [...] often to listen to his interviews just to see where his head was at during this difficult time for him.
Eventually, Bun B, who was already shceduled to release his solo CD in 2008, would go back to the studio to add additional tracks to his CD which was already finished for the most part. "2 Trill" was released on May 20, 2008. The CD gets off to an excellent start with the title track that starts with a J Prince intro and also features Z-Ro on the hook. Mixtape DJ Clinton Sparks provides a nice beat on this track as well. "That's Gangsta" is the first single and also features Sean Kingston. JR Rotem, who produced Rick Ross' "Push It", produces this track, which was the right choice for the first single. "Damn I'm Cold" features Lil Wayne, who is finally set to release "Carter 3" on June 10, 2008. The song is pretty good and you will just be glad that Lil Wayne isn't using that ridiculous voice recorder on this track. "You're Everything", which features Rick Ross, David Banner and 8 Ball & MJG, samples one of my all time favorite 90s slow jams in Jodeci's "Cry For You". All of the rappers contribute nice verses and 8Ball even pays homage to the old and new school of the South during his verse. I definitely wasn't expecting to hear Lupe Fiasco on a Bun B CD, but the 2 rappers actually make things work on "Swang On Em". The track will remind you of "On Everything", which paired David Banner and Twista on David Banner's last CD Certified, because of the band like affect on the production. Jazze Pha produces "My Block", which should grow on you awhile after you the hook a couple of times. "Get Cha Issue" has Bun B taking issue with the dishonest preachers, poilce officers and politicians that are in the world today. He takes offense to the preachers who take advantage of the donations that are made by hard working people and then transformed into Cadillac Escalades, rims, and designer suits. He also takes offense to police officers who use their badge to walk on the wrong side of the law. "Underground Thang" features Pimp C and Chamillionaire on a Cory Mo production. Pimp C gives an energetic performance and Chamillionaire reminds us of why we thought that "The Sound Of Revenge" was a nice CD. "If I Die 2 Night" features Lyfe Jennings, who just released his 3rd disc "Lyfe Change" and Young Buck on a track. Bun B delivers 2 strong verses and Young Buck closes things out on a good note. Junior Reid comes through just as strong as he did on Game's "One Blood" on the track "If It Was Up To Me". The pace is slower this time around and Bun is able to spread some knowledge. Bun B's dedication to Pimp C is "Angel In The Sky". It will be obvious that it samples Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon In The Sky" but Bun B creates one of his best songs ever with this heartfelt tribute to Chad "Pimp C" Butler. "Keep It 100" ends the CD off a nice note as you will be bobbin' your head to the beat from "Chops".
The CD features 2 bonus tracks: "City Of The Swang" w/Slim Thug and Mike Jones and "Some H__s" w/Bulletproof, Chino XL and Killer Mike. The 2nd bonus track is the true definition of why some collaborations just don't work. Killer Mike has a nice verse but this track will not be missed by too many people who couldn't get the bonus tracks. When you listen to "City Of The Swang" you will understand why Mike Jones' 2nd official CD has yet to be released and why no one bought the "American Dream" DVD/CD.
There are a couple of tracks that you will want to use the skip button for: "I Luv That", which I know was made for the clubs but it just doesn't work, "Pop It 4 Pimp" which is basically Back That Azz Up 2008 and features terrible verses from Juvenile & Webbie and "Good II Me" which features Mya and a terrible use of the SOS Band sample "Just Be Good To Me".
Overall, Bun B definitely shows that he is capable once again of holding down a "solo" CD. The problem that occurs is that there are too many guest appearances on this CD just like there were on "Trill". Since, the majority of the material is quality many people will forgive that, you just find yourself wishing that he kept the guest appearances to a minimum of maybe 5 tracks. According to Bun B, there will still be another UGK CD released and I will definitely be looking forward to that moment. If you enjoyed "Trill", then you should also add "2 Trill" to your collection.
James' Top 5
1) 2 Trill w/Z-Ro & J Prince
2) Keep It 100
3) Angel In The Sky w/Razah
4) Swang On Em w/Lupe Fiasco
5) Get Cha Issue
Honorable Mention:
Underground Thang w/Pimp C & Chamillionaire
That's Gangsta w/Sean Kingston
If It Was Up To Me w/Junior Reid
You're Everything w/Rick Ross, David Banner and 8Ball & MJG
If I Die 2 Night w/Lyfe Jennings & Young Buck
Damn I'm Cold w/Lil Wayne
RIP Pimp C; UGK 4 Life
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic from Bun B, May 21, 2008
It been about 2 and a half years since his "Trill" was released (4.5 stars), and Bun B, the remaining member of UGK drops a classic here, and I'm gonna say that this will probably be one of the top 5 album of 2008. It starts a little slow but after track 6 it never looks back. With 16 songs, you get 1 classic, 4 almost classics, 2 ok songs, and the other 9 are good, with most being real good. Guests are a little heavy though, on all but 3 songs (only doing the hook on 6 and rapping on 7). After 16 years in the rap game, Bun B shows he still has one of the coldest and tightest flows that not many can match. Production is nice as well,a nd handled by many people. Chops and Bigg Tyme each do 2 songs, Clinton Sparks, J.R. Rotem, Mr. Lee, Enigma, Scott Storch, Jazze Pha, Mouse, J. Rock, Cory Mo, Blackout Movement, Cozmo, and DJ Khalil all do 1 song. A must have album form one of the realest and best rappers.
#1 - 8.5 (f/ Z-Ro)
#2 - 8.5 (f/ Sean Kingston)
#3 - 7 (f/ Lil Wayne -- be much better without him as I think he is the MOST OVERATED rapper out)
#4 - 8 (f/ Rick Ross, David Banner, Eightball, MJG)
#5 - 8
#6 - 7 (f/ Lupe Fiasco)
#7 - 8.5 (f/ Jazze Pha -- good beat)
#8 - 9.5 (tight beat)
#9 - 9 (f/ Juvenile & Webbie -- nice beat)
#10 - 9.5 (f/ Mya -- tight upbeat sample for the beat)
#11 - 8 (f/ Chamillionaire & Pimp C {R.I.P.})
#12 - 9.5 (f/ Young Buck & Lyfe Jennings -- tight beat)
#13 - 9 (f/ Mddl Fngz & Cobe)
#14 - 9 (f/ Junior Reid -- deeper song)
#16 - 10 (CLASSIC -- deep heart felt dedication to Pimp C)
#18 - 9.5 (tight beat)
Bernard Freeman -- b. 3/19/73 -- Port Arthur, TX
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bun B keepin it TRILL, May 25, 2008
With his first solo release since UGKs (Underground Kingz double cd). While others may claim that they keep real, they dont even come close to Bun B. He's on his game on just every track on II Trill (sequel to 2006's Trill).
Whether he's talking about the war in Iraq, bringing our troops home, deficient school, political system and poverty in the US (taking care of our own, first instead of everyone else). Or just being Bun B talking about the hooked up rides, clubs and the women there. He's always doing it with a skill, fierce style of rap that will have folks taking notice and with II Trill. Bun B reps his home town, family and his partner in all things Pimp C.
Much respect to Bun B for putting out an album that balances between the political and wordly issues and just going out having fun, partying. It's a well done cd overall and should be on music listeners and industry heads as well.
It's II Trill.
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