UGK

UGK (short for Underground Kingz) was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, formed in 1987, by Chad “Pimp C” Butler and Bernard “Bun B” Freeman. They released their first major-label album, Too Hard to Swallow, in 1992, followed by several other albums charting on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, including the self-titled Underground Kingz album, which contained their single “International Players Anthem (I Choose You)” and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, in August 2007. The duo has also been featured on hit singles by several other artists, such as “Big Pimpin’” by Jay-Z and “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” by Three 6 Mafia. Pimp C founded UGK Records in late 2005. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C died in his West Hollywood, California hotel room.

Hailing from Port Arthur, Texas, UGK members Pimp (Chad Butler) and Bun (Bernard Freeman) shared roots in the same town as iconic figures like Janis Joplin and Robert Rauschenberg. Despite the town’s population of 60,000, with a notable African American community, it wasn’t initially recognized for its rap scene. The duo, adopting the moniker “Underground Kingz” (UGK), did so due to their unique country rap style, rich in “slang and twang,” which they believed might be challenging for outsiders to grasp. UGK’s musical fusion seamlessly integrated “deep bluesy textures, triumphant church organs, thick funk, and meaty soul” into their compositions.

Bun, born Bernard Freeman, earned his nickname “Bunny” in childhood, later shortened to Bun. His rap delivery was likened to a “speeding-train,” characterized by lyrics that felt meticulously crafted and coated with a heavy lacquer.

Pimp, son of a trumpet player, developed a passion for music early in life. His musical background included exposure to classical genres, Italian sonnets, and Negro spirituals. Even before formal musical education, Pimp displayed a remarkable ability to play instruments by ear, including piano, trumpet, drums, and flugelhorn. His vocal style was noted for being high-voiced, unstable, and provocative—equally likely to deliver a powerful message as to croon a love song. Influenced by Run-DMC, Pimp began crafting beats to rap over after receiving a drum machine and keyboard as a Christmas gift. Responding to advice from Pimp’s stepfather to “put some music in that,” he ventured beyond the conventional kick-snare formula, embracing 808s and emphasizing hi-hats in their productions. This musical evolution became a defining aspect of UGK’s distinctive sound.

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