UGK
UGK 4 Life (Jive)
On a cool Los Angeles night in December 2007, Pimp C was found dead. According to reports, he overdosed on “syrup”—a mixture of promethazine and codeine. But now, nearly two years since his passing, Pimp C lives on.
“Back from the dead,” Pimp eerily professes on the intro of UGK 4 Life, the Port Arthur, TX tandem’s sixth, and presumably final, studio album. It’s a chilling edict from the mercurial rapper and producer who rhymed with partner Bernard “Bun B” Freeman since their diabolical debut, Too Hard To Swallow (Jive/ Novus/ Big Tyme) in 1992.
The monstrous “Still On The Grind” opens the 16-track LP, which features guest spots from hip hop stalwarts E-40 and 8Ball & MJG (“Used To Be”), R&B giant Ron Isley (“The Pimp & The Bun”), Southern spitfires Webbie and Lil’ Boosie (“Harry Asshole”), and pop crooner Akon (“Hard As Hell”), among others. The sound saunters between heavy and lighthearted; mixing early UGK sound—punchy, hard beats—with smooth, yet funky, production. Life, which was largely recorded before Pimp’s death, rattles with tumbling 808s, heavy synths, grimy basslines and wailing guitars.
Thematically, the duo embraces typical subject matter throughout: sex, money, the occasional ode to pimping. On the Snoop Dogg and Too $hort-assisted “Steel Your Mind,” Pimp rhymes “I stole yo bitch ’cause you not a good guy/ You can’t control her body if you can’t control her mind/ That was a line from The Mack/ And if you lose all yo bitches you can have da hoe back.” Pimp’s lyrical venom is nothing new, but, from beyond the grave, his bite is just as—if not more—visceral.
Not to be outdone, Bun B keeps it political on the jazzy, laid-back “Purse Come First”—featuring Goodie Mob alum Big Gipp—calling out Dick Cheney and Halliburton for war profiteering. Impassioned and heartfelt, Bun pleas “Open your eyes.” Hefty guest features aside, the duo’s chemistry remains a rare mix, especially on standouts like “Everybody Wanna Ball”, “The Pimp & The Bun.” and “Da Game Been Good To Me.”
UGK 4 Life is a fitting end for the Texas boys. It’s classic UGK—temperamental, turbulent, and trill… for life.
"UGK 4 Life" is in stores 3/31/09
Track Listing for UGK 4 Life
1. “Intro”
2. “Still On The Grind” feat. Raheem DeVaughn
3. “Everybody Wanna Ball”
4. “Feelin' You”
5. “The Pimp & The Bun” feat. Ron Isley
6. “She Luv It”
7. “7th Street Interlude”
8. “Swishas & Erb” feat. Sleepy Brown
9. “Purse Come First” feat. Big Gipp
10. “Harry Asshole” feat. Webbie and Lil’ Boosie
11. “Used To Be” feat. E-40, B. Legit and 8Ball & MJG
12. “Steel Your Mind” feat. Too $hort and Snoop Dogg
13. “Texas Ave Interlude”
14. “Hard As Hell” feat. Akon
15. “Da Game Been Good To Me”
16. “Outro”
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