Earlier this week, “Trill O.G.,” Bun B’s third solo album, received a perfect five-mic rating from long-running hip-hop publication The Source. Though the magazine’s influence is far removed from the era when Eminem proclaimed it “the only source of light,” the rating presumably reflects a desire to correct past oversights.

Consider it the critical equivalent of a makeup call or Steely Dan finally winning the best album Grammy for 2001’s ”Two Against Nature” -- a belated recognition of a lifetime of achievement.

During the pre-Internet heyday of Bun B’s former group, UGK, their greatness was rarely proclaimed in East Coast-centric critical circles. Scarface and the Geto Boys and Atlanta’s Dungeon Family typically absorbed the brunt of token Southern rap love, while the commercial hegemony of No Limit and Cash Money garnered them sufficient airtime and attention.

However, UGK’s final two records received well-deserved commercial and critical acclaim, and the untimely passing of Bun B’s partner, Pimp C, helped guarantee that their legacy won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Over the last three years, the 37-year-old rapper has emerged as a hip-hop elder statesman, one with a hard-won authority and national appeal. His last solo record, 2008’s “II Trill,” debuted at No. 2 on the charts, and, most recently, Rice University announced that the Port Arthur, Texas, native would be teaching a course in religion and hip-hop culture.

He’s also been a staple on the 16-bar cameo circuit, popping up everywhere from records by trap favorites such as Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy to mixtape tracks from awkwardly labeled “hipster rappers” Cool Kids and Wale to East Coast legends such as Redman and Method Man. He appears twice on Freddie Gibbs’ new EP and made a prominent appearance on last year’s most popular mixtape, Drake’s “So Far Gone.”

Accordingly, his latest record reads like a who’s who of contemporary urban music, with T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Drake and Trey Songz appearing on the first five songs alone. And in that ultimate gesture for the rapper “who has everyone,” he even coaxed 2Pac out of his heavily fortified underground bunker for a guest spot.

Famously one of hip-hop’s most gracious and candid interviews, Pop & Hiss spoke to Bun B about the state of the industry, how he’s continued to stay relevant, and what it means to be a “Trill O.G.”

You're one of the most prolific rappers around, and you're nearly 20 years deep in the game. Does it ever get hard to write, and how do you make sure that you're still inspired?

Writing a 16 for a feature is different from writing a verse for my solo career, which is different from writing a UGK song. It's all about different approaches. With cameos, it's not about me. With UGK songs, we'd split the difference. But on my solo album, it's about me, and I'm the one in charge of direction and making sure it's consistent and good.