Finally breaking through in 2007 with Underground Kingz, their first release since the Pimp’s release from prison, Houston culture and the rap game suffered a great loss in the passing of Pimp C on December 4, 2007. Bun kept things moving with II Trill in ’08 and delivers the final release, UGK 4 Life.
Still On The Grind: Totally out of the box, Bun promised the album would be true to their UGK style, however this shows some experimentation. Its no surprise that it works, as the jamming rock production and Raheem DeVaughn’s soulful hook and celebratory horns are welcoming. Bun and Pimp lyrically are on point deliver some aggressive flows. 3.5/5
Everybody Wanna Ball: Organs and some knocking production, certainly suite the track, as Pimp and Bun celebrate their recent success. Decent track that has a relaxed vibe and is a worthy album track. 3.5/5
Feelin’ You: Pimp croons on the hook, as Bun and Pimp talk about their perfect chick. The track smoothly rides, reminiscent of older UGK work, as the soulful vibe represents the mastery that Pimp possessed. 3/5
The Pimp & The Bun: Some classic UGK here, as Ron Isley’s hook and the whole vibe of the track is throwback old school R&B mixed with hip hop. Pimp and Bun sound good on this, as they simply proclaim their return. Bun is on point with the flow spitting “the game need a hero, not another fake a** Pacino, or wannabe Deniro, a real pistolero, bandito”. 4/5
She Luv It: While the track is nothing new, the typical strip club joint for the ladies to dance on the pole to, somehow, UGK is able to creative a seductive and intimate track. The moaning is a bit annoying, but Pimp’s hook is on point, while the intimate production creates the imagery of a late night strip club dancer. Really smooth track for the strip clubs. 3/5
Swishas & Erb: An ode to the swishas and erb, Sleepy Brown adds some soft crooning in addition to Pimp’s hook. Chill track that has only one verse and is mainly crooning. The track is nice, despite its lack of verses, it has a good enough vibe to surpass the lack of verses. 3/5
Purse Comes First: Goodie Mob member Big Gipp joins UGK for a down south collab. Bun offers some social commentary with “war profiteerin’, with Cheney on the board is you muthaf***a’s hearin’, they send us off to war, kill our kids and got paid too, America open your eyes, these n****s played you”. Country flowed Gipp drops “see the purse came first, the love came later, the p**** got wet and captain D came greater, do it for the Bun and I do it for the Pimp, for the hustlers and the gangsters doing time behind the fence”. 3.5/5
Harry A**hole: Trill affiliates Lil’ Boosie and Webbie drop solid verses about a woman’s genitalia, as Pimp drops “you can shave off your p****, wack your s*** smooth, but if you do b**** my d*** will never move” and later solidifying his status as the pimp “I’m the real you a muthaf***in fake cuz, I got these b****es on the track selling tricks they money make cuz”. A little raunchy for some, but if you like that strip club music, this is a bit more uptempo. 3/5
Used To Be: The group cut of the album, west coast rappers E-40 and B-Legit along with fellow legendary southern duo 8Ball & MJG join this guitar rocking synth bouncy production. Pimp’s hook works well, while E-40 drops his unique flow and fire flow, B-Legit speaks about slangin rocks, relevant to Pimp’s hook of “I use to be the smallest n***a, now I’m the big ballin’ n***a, comin down grippin wood, keepin these muthaf***in b****es callin’ n***a”. All-star track here that is one of the best. 4/5
Steel Your Mind: Hard hitting guitars jam, while Pimp, Bun, Too Short and Snoop speak on the art of pimpin’. Swaggered out Snoop drops his smooth advice, while Bun reflects about a past girl he pimps, and Too Short drops some humorous pimpin. 3.5/5
Hard As Hell: The obvious misstep of the album, Akon seems a bit out of place, but the track is listenable and forgiveable. Bun and Pimp deliver on this one, as uptempo production with smooth bass and guitar work well. The track goes into some international flavor “if boys we men they on bended knee, make it disappear you want the Texas tea, girls in France like Texas d, they say oooh-la-la ahh-wee-wee, well mercee voku, baby girl you know you, got the hot butter that my knife gotta go through”. 3/5
Da Game Been Good To Me: The final track that is also the lead single, it’s a worthy finisher and definitely the best track on the album. Country twanging strings strum behind, while Pimp is on point and talking trash, getting at the lames with “ya shoe fit n***a, get the f*** up out the game, lil’ b****”. Bun gets at those criticizing the south for their music. Pimp’s hook is smooth and classic, as this track resembles essential UGK, their legacy and influence on the south. 5/5
UGK’s final release, UGK 4 Life is appropriately titled and created. Bun must be credited for his persistence to achieve the UGK sound and follow Pimp’s blueprints that he left behind. In house producers Steve Below and Cory Mo contribute some production, while Pimp offers the rest. Smooth riding bangers by the duo are evident in the middle section, while the beginning and latter, tend to have more knock and bump. “Da Game Been Good To Me” is a fitting single and ender, representing the essentials of the UGK legacy. “Hard As Hell” is the only forced track, but is forgiven, as the straight pimp affair “Steal Your Mind”, has the vets dropping knowledge. Soulful “The Pimp & The Bun”, celebratory “Everybody Wanna Ball” and street burner “Still On The Grind” are all top notch UGK. The album flows exceptionally well and matches their past release, by leaving a fitting end to an era, as Houston’s legendary duo retires. Rest In Peace to Pimp C, one of the best to ever do it.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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