UGK
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- "UGK" is also a make of a Russian frogman's diving suit and U.G. Krishnamurti.
| UGK | |
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| Origin | Port Arthur, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1987–2001 2006–present |
| Genres | Hip-hop, Southern Rap |
| Labels | Jive Records (1992–present) |
| Members | Bun B Pimp C |
UGK (short for Underground Kingz) is a hip-hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas. Formed in 1987 by long-time friends Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, they are highly respected by many of their peers, due in part to their longevity and their entrenchment in hip-hop's underground.
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[edit] Biography
UGK, the music group are from the city of Port Arthur, Texas and resided from the West side part of the town, they released their first album in 1988. 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 Too Hard to Swallow's release, on an EP distributed by Bigtyme Recordz; appropriately enough, the EP was titled Banned.
Their sophomore 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. He and Bun B are working on UGK's seventh album, tentatively titled U.G.K. Underground Kingz. The album was originally due out in December but has been pushed back to April 17.
The album is reported to have 32 tracks spanning two discs. Among the 32 tracks is "Quit Hatin the South", which is anticipated to cause more friction between Dirty South rappers and East Coast rappers. Featured guests include Rick Ross, Three 6 Mafia, Slim Thug, Sleepy Brown, as well as hiphop legends Kool G Rap, Mike Dressel, Craig Weaver, and Big Daddy Kane on a Marley Marl produced track titled "H-Town". The album will also feature production by Jazze Pha who produced the first single, "Stop & Go", Swizz Beats, Lil Jon, fellow Texas legend Scarface, and Pimp C. The album is due to be released May 9th, 2007. [1]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1988: The Southern Way (audio cassette only release)
- 1992: Banned
- 1992: Too Hard to Swallow
- 1994: Super Tight
- 1996: Ridin' Dirty [Gold]
- 2001: Dirty Money
- 2002: Side Hustles
- 2003: Best of UGK
- 2004: Jive Records Presents: UGK Chopped and Screwed
- 2007: U.G.K. Underground Kingz
[edit] Singles
(Chart positions from Billboard magazine)
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| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | UK Singles | |||
| 1992 | "Something Good" | — | — | — | Too Hard to Swallow |
| 1993 | "Use Me Up" | — | — | — | Too Hard to Swallow |
| 1993 | "Pocket Full of Stones" | — | — | — | Too Hard to Swallow |
| 1994 | "It's Supposed to Bubble" | — | — | — | Super Tight... |
| 1994 | "Front, Back, Side to Side" | — | — | — | Super Tight... |
| 1999 | "Dirty Money" | — | — | — | Dirty Money |
| 1999 | "Belts to Match" | — | — | — | The Wood (Soundtrack) |
| 2000 | "Big Pimpin" (Jay-Z feat. UGK) |
#3 | #1 | — | Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter |
| 2000 | "Sippin' on Some Syrup" (Three 6 Mafia featuring UGK & Project Pat) |
— | #30 | — | When the Smoke Clears |
| 2001 | "Let Me See It" | — | — | — | Dirty Money |
| 2006 | "Front Back " T.I. (Feat. UGK) |
— | — | #46 | King |
| 2006 | "Get Throwed" (feat Z-Ro, Young Jeezy and Jay-Z) |
— | — | — | Trill |
| 2006 | "Pourin' Up" (feat Mike Jones) |
— | — | — | Pimpalation |
| 2006 | "The Game Belongs To Me" |
— | — | — | U.G.K. Underground Kingz |
[edit] Awards/Nominated
- 2006: Ozone Awards -WON- Living Legend Award
[edit] Notable Samples
- "Something Good" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains a sample from "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus.
- "Use Me Up" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains a sample from "Use Me" by Bill Withers.
- "Pocket Full Of Stones" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains samples from "Going Back To Cali" by LL Cool J and "Gettin' Funky In The Joint" by Mellow Man Ace.
- "Cocaine In The Back Of The Ride" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains a sample from "Freddie's Dead" by Curtis Mayfield.
- "Cramping My Style" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains a sample from "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers.
- "Feel Like I'm The One Who's Doin' Dope" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains a sample from "Mind Playin' Tricks On Me" by Geto Boys.
- "I'm So Bad" (Too Hard to Swallow) contains a sample from "I Turned You On" by The Isley Brothers.
- "Front, Back and Side to Side" (Super Tight) contains a sample from "Boyz-N-The-Hood" by Eazy E.
- "Protect and Serve" (Super Tight) contains a sample from "Fuck Tha Police" by N.W.A..
- "Pinky Ring" (Ridin Dirty) contains a sample from "Futureshock" by Curtis Mayfield.
- "Diamonds And Wood" (Ridin Dirty) contains a sample from "Munchies For Your Love" by Bootsy Collins.
- "Good Stuff" (Ridin Dirty) contains a sample from "Backstrokin'" by The Fatback Band.
- "Choppin' Blades" (Dirty Money) contains a sample from "Captain Save a Hoe" by The E-40.
- "Like A Pimp" (Dirty Money) contains a sample from "Don't Look Any Further" by The Dennis Edwards.
- "Pushin'" (Trill) contains a sample from "Keep on Pushing" by Curtis Mayfield.
- "Free" (Pimpalation) contains a sample from "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty.
