Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 08:50, 15 October 2007

"UGK" is also a make of a Russian frogman's diving suit and U.G. Krishnamurti.

UGK (short for Underground Kingz) is a hip-hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, USA. Formed in 1987 by long-time friends Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, they are respected by many of their peers, due in part to their longevity and their entrenchment in hip-hop's underground.

Biography

Both Freeman and Butler are from the west side of Port Arthur, Texas. They released their first album in 1992. In an article from The Source in July 2007, Bun B is quoted as saying "I guess Misplaced Pages is telling people we put our first album out in '89, but we didn't put it out until '92". Titled The Southern Way, it was distributed by local record label Bigtyme Recordz and only available as an audio cassette. In 1992, they had caught the attention of Jive Records, and were signed to a five album record contract. Their major label debut album Too Hard to Swallow was released later that same year, on November 10. While it featured several new recordings, it also featured several songs that had been culled from The Southern Way. However, several songs that had been intended to be included on the album were excised at the last minute, apparently due to their overly explicit content. Five of these songs would surface two months before the release of Too Hard to Swallow, on an EP distributed by Bigtyme Recordz; appropriately enough, the EP was titled Banned'.

Their second album Super Tight was released two years later, on August 30. Unlike their previous effort, it managed to break into the Billboard Hot 200, but ultimately peaked at #95. Two more years passed before the release of their third album, Ridin' Dirty. It performed better than either of its predecessors, and almost broke into the Billboard Hot 200's top-ten, before stopping short at #15. Ridin' Dirty would also be UGK's last album for the time being, as they went on a five year hiatus not long afterward. In the interim, UGK made a high-profile guest appearance on Jay-Z's 2000 smash hit "Big Pimpin'" and also appeared on Three 6 Mafia's hit "Sippin' on Some Sizzurp" later the very same year. Both of these collaborations greatly increased their reputation, and helped fuel anticipation for their next project. Unfortunately, Jive Records failed to capitalize on this new-found interest in the duo, as their sixth album, 2001's Dirty Money, came and went with little fanfare.

Further problems arose when Pimp C was incarcerated for an aggravated gun assault charge on January 28, 2002. Throughout the time of his incarceration, Bun B carried on the UGK name by making numerous guest appearances on songs by other artists, with every appearance either mentioning Pimp C or featuring a "Free Pimp C!" or "Free the Pimp" chant. Many of UGK's peers did the same, and mentioned Pimp C in their own songs with or without Bun B. During this period, Jive Records released a Best of UGK album, as well as a Chopped & Screwed remix album.

As a result of Pimp C's incarceration, both members of UGK began solo careers out of necessity. Rap-A-Lot Records released Pimp C's solo debut, Sweet James Jones Stories, on March 1, 2005. Bun B later released his own solo foray, Trill, on October 18, 2005. It opened at #6 on the Billboard Hot 200, and also peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-hop Album chart. It was quickly certified gold by the RIAA.

On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and is on parole until December 2009. He released his first post-incarceration album, titled Pimpalation, on July 25, 2006. On August 7, 2007, he and Bun B released UGK's seventh album, the eponymous Underground Kingz. The album had originally been due out in the December of 2006.

The album contains 26 tracks, not including the bonus tracks, spanning two discs. Among the 26 main tracks is "Quit Hatin the South", which is anticipated to cause more friction between Dirty South rappers and East Coast rappers. Featured guests include Talib Kweli, Too $hort, Rick Ross, Dizzee Rascal, Z-Ro, Three 6 Mafia, Slim Thug, OutKast, as well as hiphop legends Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane on a Marley Marl produced track titled "Next Up". The album features production by DJ Paul & Juicy J, who produced the second single, "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)", Jazze Pha, Swizz Beatz, The Runners, Lil Jon, fellow Texas legend Scarface, and Pimp C.

In a rare collaboration between the Dirty South and the UK grime scene, UGK appear with Dizzee Rascal on the song "Where's da G's" from Dizzee's third LP, Maths and English, released in June 2007. In return, Dizzee Rascal appeared on UGK's track "Two Types of Bitches" from UGK (Underground Kings), released about a two months later.

UGK have their own record label of the same name, UGK Records, with the following artists:

Roster

• Vicious
• Smoke D (currently incarcerated)
• Hezeleo
• DJ B-Do
• Young T.O.E.
• Big Bubb
• DJ Dolby Devious
• Middle Fingaz (Munsta, B.A.N.D.I.T., Bad Azz Bam,Young Kilo, Wee)

Discography

Albums

• 1988: The Southern Way
• 1992: Banned EP
• 1992: Too Hard to Swallow
• 1994: Super Tight
• 1996: Ridin' Dirty Gold
• 2001: Dirty Money
• 2002: Side Hustles
• 2007: UGK (Underground Kingz) (US #1) U.S. Sales: 1,OOO,OOO Platinum

Singles

Featured singles

Awards/Nominated

• 2006: Ozone Awards -WON- Living Legend Award

References

1. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003314424
2. http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/12646

See also

• List of Rappers from Houston, Texas
• Trill Entertainment
• Houston hip hop
• Trae

External links

• UGK Website (Jive Records)
• UGK Website (Fan)
• Template:MySpace
• Template:MySpace
• Template:MySpace

• African American musicians
• Southern hip hop musicians
• Texas musicians
• Texas musical groups