UGK – UGK 4 Life (3-31-2009)

Posted on Apr 22 in Reviewsby adminPrint

The UGK saga may be one of the most triumphant yet tragic tales ever told in hip-hop history. While the duo from Port Arthur, TX has exceeded just about all expectations anyone ever had for them they have also been forced to live and die through some of the worst scenarios. In the beginning Bun B and Pimp C’s careers never seemed to get the boost they both deserved. When it seemed that they were destined to reach the top Pimp C was sent to the penitentiary for four years. After his release the duo dropped their only platinum selling album, Underground Kings. Later that same year tragedy struck when Pimp C was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room. Longtime fans are now forced to face the realities that UGK 4 Life will be the last UGK album anyone will ever hear. 

Though most longtime fans will not find the opening “Still On The Grind” the least bit appeasing Pimp and Bun manage to stay close to their roots on the Raheem DeVaughn assisted rock out effort. “Everybody Wanna Ball” features Bun and Pimp in completely familiar territory as they spend the better part of four minutes dismantling the over zealous egos that run the rap industry these days. The two P.A. legends spit some retro golden fried pimpin on the silky smooth “Feelin You” where Pimp C felt a strong urge to sing his ass off. Things get a little smoother as Ronald Isley laces some of his vocal expertise to the mid summer anthem “The Pimp & The Bun.”

Pimp C’s opening verse on “She Luv It” immediately sets the tone for one of the raunchiest rap songs since some time in the mid 90’s as the two Texans go hard in the twat for nearly four minutes. By the end of the track Pimp feels compelled to speak his mind about snatch shaving with, “a bald head pussy aint shit / got them razor bumps bitch / grow some hair and get legit!” Other than the aforementioned freak fest the album’s highlights are delivered in the from of two separate interludes “7th Street” and “Texas Ave” where Pimp and Bun spit over the same track on two separate occasions.

Bun B invites Atlanta’s Sleepy Brown to share in a phat smokefest for Pimp C and the rest of the lost soldiers on the relaxing yet predictable “Swishas & Erb.” The Big Gipp assisted “Purse Come First” finds the legendary duo doing what they do best in lifting political skirts. Anyone who has listened to enough UGK is probably already well aware of the fact that Pimp C loves harry assholes and if you were unaware then you can reference the Lil Boosie and Webbie assisted “Harry Asshole.”

“Used To Be” turns out to be one of the album’s greatest disappointments due to the fact that legendary figures such as E-40, B-Legit, and 8Ball & MJG have shown what they’re capable of when they all combine efforts in the past. Basically the song will sound better on paper than it will through your speakers. Luckily for longtime fans the album doesn’t completely end on a sour note as Snoop Dogg and Too Short show up for more grade-A pimpin on the commanding “Steal Your Mind.” Whoever made the final decision to include Akon’s “Hard As Hell” on the last UGK album should definitely be talked to for a hot minute. I hope for UGK’s sake that it wasn’t Bun!

Throughout the course of the album one may be swayed into thinking that this isn’t the best of UGK’s work but those thoughts should quickly decimate after a second listen. Aside from a couple of serious mishaps UGK 4 Life is exactly what it’s supposed to be. A well-balanced helping of unadulterated and unapologetic down south country rap tunes. As the disc draws closer and closer to the end it gives off an eerie feeling as the listener is forced to live with the fact that this is the last collection that Pimp and Bun will ever ride dirty together on.

VERDICT – 15 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 4
CONSISTENCY: 4