UGK
- "UGK" is also a make of a Russian frogman's diving suit and U.G. Krishnamurti (see http://ugk.nu).
UGK | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Port Arthur, Texas |
| Years active | 1987–2001 2005–present |
| Members | Bun B Pimp C |
UGK (short for Underground Kingz) are a hip-hop duo born in Port Arthur, Texas but stay in Houston, 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.
Biography
UGK released their first album in 1988. Titled The Southern Way, it was distributed by local record label Big Tyme Records 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 10th. 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 Big Tyme Records; appropiately enough, the EP was titled Banned.
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Their sophomore album Super Tight... was released two years later, on August 30th. Unlike their previous effort, it managed to break into the Billboard Hot 200, but ultimately peaked at a disappointing #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 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 failed to capitalize on this newfound interest in the duo, as their sixth album, 2001's Dirty Money, came and went with little or no fanfare.
Further problems arose in 2002, when Pimp C was incarcerated for an aggravated gun assault charge on January 28th. 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 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 1st, 2005. Bun B later released his own solo foray, Trill, on October 18th, 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 30th, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and is on parole until December 2009. He is currently working on his sophomore effort, titled Pimpalation, due out later this year. He and Bun B are also working on UGK's seventh album, tentatively titled The Return of the Trill, also due out later in the year.
Discography
Albums
- 1988: The Southern Way (audio cassette only release)
- 1992: Banned
- 1992: Too Hard to Swallow
- 1994: Super Tight
- 1996: Ridin' Dirty [Certified: Gold]
- 2001: Dirt Money
- 2002: Side Hustles
- 2003: Best of UGK
- 2004: Jive Records Presents: UGK Chopped and Screwed
- 2006: Return of the Trill
Singles
(Chart positions from Billboard magazine)
| 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 Sizzurp" (Three 6 Mafia featuring UGK) |
— | #30 | — | When the Smoke Clears |
| 2001 | "Let Me See It" | — | — | — | Dirty Money |
| 2006 | "Cold Cash" (feat. Dame Majes of Violator) |
— | #16 | — | UGK |
| 2006 | "Front Back " T.I. (Feat. UGK) |
— | — | #46 | King |
| 2006 | "Get Throwed" (feat Z-Ro, Young Jeezy and Jay-Z) |
— | — | — | Trill |
| 2006 | " Good Weather Music | — | — | — | Return Of The Trill |