Houston Hip Hop legend Pimp would’ve turned 50 years old today
Born Chad Lamont Butler on this day in 1973 in Port Arthur, Texas, Pimp C emerged into the Hip Hop scene with his partner Bun B to make the Underground Kingz (UGK) one of the greatest rap groups to come out of the Dirty South and undoubtedly the best rap duo from Texas.
In his illustrious three-decade-long career, the Pimp released nine UGK albums, six full-length solo albums, and even a posthumous book Sweet Jones: Pimp C’s Trill Life Story by Ozone Magazine owner Julia Beverly, which dropped this past summer.
Pimp C lost his life on December 4, 2007, from an overdose of promethazine syrup, which is called “lean” on the streets, in West Hollywood, California. He passed just weeks shy of his 34th birthday. Even though his physical presence is gone and sorely missed, many artists still pay homage to Sweet Jones through his music and dedication to his of their own music.
On this date in 1992, Bun B and Pimp C put out their first studio release Too Hard To Swallow and began their extremely successful career as Underground Kingz.
With UGK (short for Underground Kingz) being one of the first rap groups to come out of Texas to be regarded nationally, it’s easy to see how important it is to the South. At this time in the early 90s, there wasn’t much coming from anywhere other than New York or California. The only southern rappers that had hits were fellow Texas natives Geto Boys and Miami-based rappers 2 Live Crew. When this album dropped, it opened up a door for a whole new wave of southern rap to emerge.
Unlike the funkier, sample-heavy beats that UGK became known for rapping over later in their career, this album is true to its name as far as its production. The beats are a lot more aggressive and so is the lyricism. Nevertheless, this album is full of hits that are considered classics of the group’s catalog. These three tracks are “Something Good”, “Use Me Up” which hails a Bill Withers sample, and “Pocket Full of Stones”, which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1992 hood classic, Menace II Society.
The album was recorded over a year period from 1991 to 1992 and released on November 9th, 1992 under Jive Records, the early 90s powerhouse label hosting acts such as E-40, A Tribe Called Quest, R.Kelly, and the late Aaliyah. The album has so far sold 369,511 copies and peaked at 37th on the Billboard US R&B Charts. After this album, UGK went on to put out five albums until the untimely passing of member Pimp C in 2007.
Doechii has proven to be one of the most promising new musical acts (like with her breakout Coachella performance, for example). Although she incorporates inspiration from several genres, her love for hip-hop always shines through the brightest. The musician’s latest partnership with Google Pixel, Doechii, was able to showcase that admiration on a new single, “Universal Swamp Anthem.”
With the genre’s 50th anniversary among us, the self-proclaimed Swamp Princess was sure to honor one of rap’s most impactful duos, UGK (comprised of Bun B and Pimp C). As a Florida native, Doechii didn’t leave the southern region for inspiration as she reimagined the group’s 2007 “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You).” Just like she did on her freestyle to Beyoncé’s “America Has A Problem,” Doechii flexed her lyrical ability. As fans wait for the release of Doechii’s Pix Tape EP, due out next month, the record allows the recording artist to cut loose creatively.
The track is the latest of Google’s Pixel RePresents series of songs with Mass Appeal. Other artists — such as Flo Milli, Bia, and Lola Brooke — have all dropped a remake of their favorite hip-hop songs, including Too Short’s “Blow The Whistle,” Clipse’s “Grindin’,” and Petey Pablo’s “Raise Up.”
In the return of Uproxx’s Fresh Pair, Port Arthur, Texas rapper (and secret Swiftie) Bun B breaks down his career for hosts Just Blaze and Katty Customs as they break down the custom sneakers they made for him based on that career. One funny anecdote involves the filming of the video for “Big Pimpin’” and Bun’s reaction to receiving a personal phone call from Jay-Z.
Near the 11:30 mark in the episode, Just recalls his reaction to listening to “Big Pimpin’” for the first time, Bun recounts how he and his UGK partner-in-rhyme Pimp C were tapped to appear on the record.
“I thought the call was a prank,” he admits. “It was a blocked number. I was like, ‘Who’s this?’ He was like, ‘It’s Jay-Z,’ and I was like, ‘Yo, stop playing on my phone,’ and I hung up.”
However, Bun picked up when Jay called back and thanks to Jay’s distinctive voice, recognized that it really was the superstar rapper. It’s a great story about how the early rap business still had a personal touch.
Bun also recalls Pimp C’s initial skepticism about the song, the surprise of its success after a prior single flopped, and Pimp’s hilarious reaction to being told to take off his mink coat during the video shoot in Trinidad & Tobago.
Fresh Pair is back, baby! Sneaker artist extraordinaire Katty Customs and legendary hip-hop producer Just Blaze have teamed up once again — taking their sneaker customization operation to the city of Austin, Texas for a special live episode starring UGK alum, Bun B.
A renowned sneakerhead in his own right, Bun is no stranger to a fire pair of kicks, considering that and the fact that the Fresh Pair team was visiting Bun’s home state, Katty and Just Blaze had their work cut out for them and nailing the right design was of paramount importance. We won’t spoil the reveals for you here (it’s a lot more fun to watch) but we will say that Bun was beyond impressed with what Katty and Blaze cooked up, inspiring the legend to share never-before-heard stories from his come-up and lengthy career.
Throughout this 30-minute episode, Bun takes us behind the scenes of the recording of “Diamonds and Wood,’ as well as the production process of UGK’s classic, Ridin’ Dirty. Later, Just Blaze and Bun reminisce about their early run-ins with Rockafella Records and Jay-Z and address that iconic moment in the “Big Pimpin’” video when Pimp C rocked a mink coat in 100-degree weather.
With the many references and nods to Bun’s career that Katty and Bun crammed into this single pair of sneakers, the hip-hop legend was bursting with stories to tell. Catch the full episode above and try to guess Bun’s out of 10 rating before we hit the post-interview during the credits.
On this day in Hip Hop history, infamous Memphis underground legends Three 6 Mafia release their fourth studio album When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1. Ironically peaking at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, this project brought Three 6 Mafia that much closer to penetrating the mainstream with their unique style of horrorcore Hip Hop. To follow the theme of the previous two albums, this album’s title continues on the post-apocalyptic theme that can be translated to the groups (successful) attempt to take over the mainstream Hip Hop industry insinuating that “when the smoke clears” Three 6 Mafia will still be around standing strong.
One of the attributes that set this album apart from anything Three 6 has put out in the past is the number of features that come with it. UGK, Insane Clown Posse, Big Gipp, Mr. Serv-On, Fiend, and Twiztid all made appearances on the project. This album also toted some of Three Six Mafia’s most popular and recognizable tracks including “Sippin’ On Some Sizzurp” and “I’m So Hi” which both grew to be staples of underground rap history.
Commercially, this album opened the door for Three 6 Mafia to ensure their place among some of the titans of the era. Selling 1,000,000 copies in the year of its release, When The Smoke Clears allowed the group to have the following they needed for their forthcoming film Choices to be as successful as it was.
Following this album, Three 6 Mafia bloomed on the rap scene going on to release six more highly successful albums as well two films and an Oscar for their work on the Hustle and Flow soundtrack making them the only rap group to receive the award.
When it comes to the music industry, especially the rap genre, one name that constantly resounds is that of Bun B. The rapper, whose real name is Bernard Freeman, has amassed a significant fortune over his illustrious career. As of 2023, Bun B’s estimated net worth stands at a commendable $4 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
The Journey of Bun B
UGK.” class=”wp-image-687326″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-71598869.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-71598869-300×201.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-71598869-768×514.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 06: UGK members Pimp C (L) and Bun B attends the First Annual Ozone Awards at the Bob Carr Auditorium August 06, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
Bun B’s journey to wealth began in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas. It was here that he established himself as one half of the legendary Southern rap duo UGK, alongside the late Pimp C. Their unique blend of gritty street narratives and soulful production laid the foundation for Bun B’s burgeoning career.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 17: Bun B performs onstage at ‘Earn Your Leisure & UnitedMasters Present #earnyourmasters Music Showcase’ during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 17, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Samantha Burkardt/Getty Images for SXSW)
Bun B’s net worth has been accumulated primarily through his music career. Album sales, concerts, and collaborations with various artists have all contributed significantly to his wealth. His solo albums, such as Trill and II Trill, have enjoyed considerable commercial success, further boosting his earnings.
Bun B’s Influence On Hip-Hop
HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 4: Rapper Bun B (Bernard Freeman) of UGK and The Suffers open when ZZ Top performs during Super Bowl Live at Root Memorial Square Park in Houston, Texas, on February 4, 2017. (Al Pereira/Getty Images)
Bun B’s contribution to the hip-hop industry extends beyond his personal wealth. As a prominent figure in the Southern rap scene, he has influenced a new generation of artists and helped put Southern hip-hop on the global map. His influence in the industry is undeniable and adds to his overall net worth in terms of cultural currency.
MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 06: Bun B is seen backstage during the BET Hip Hop Awards 2018 at Fillmore Miami Beach on October 6, 2018 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
While music is the primary source of Bun B’s wealth, he has also explored other avenues of income including the launch of Trill Burgers. The rapper has made various investments over the years, although the details of these ventures are often kept private. In addition, Bun B bolstered his worth through his activities as a guest lecturer at Rice University, which demonstrates his diverse range of interests and talents.
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 08: Rapper Bun B speaks in support of Democratic Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke at a campaign rally at White Oak Music Hall on October 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. O’Rourke is running against incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the midterm elections. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
At $4 million, Bun B’s net worth in 2023 reflects the success of a career spanning several decades. With new music continually in the works and his influence ever-present in the industry, it’s likely his wealth will continue to grow.
Bun B’s net worth is a testament to his skill, dedication, and influence in the music industry. Whether through his music, his investments, or his academic pursuits, the rapper has demonstrated a keen sense of business acumen. While Bun B’s net worth currently stands at $4 million, his wealth is not solely financial. His cultural impact and influence on the hip-hop industry are worth even more and will continue to resonate for many years to come.
After turning up the heat last month with his new mixtape, Bad Azz Yella Boy, Asylum’s Yella Beezy cranks up the heat as he pays homage to the legendary Texas rapper Pimp C with his new single “Pimp C” featuring EST Gee, which is accompanied with a music video featuring a guest appearances with Pimp C’s UGK rap partner, Bun B. Baccend Beezy continues his infectious return with another impressive southern-fried rap. He spits:
“That lil’ h** messy, you can’t tell her nothin’, on God she gon’ spread the word, lot of grammies like I’m tryna win awards, waitin’ on the first and third, got a lotta bows and I ain’t talkin’ ’bout clothes, but he tryna get a shirt, young n**ga bustin’ pack after pack, I’m tryna get a vert, heard them n**gas saying that they still tryna get me, well I’m tryna get ’em murked, I don’t take shit lightly when they talkin’, ’cause I’m ’bout to get ’em first…”
Bun B appears on the visual to co-sign the fellow Texan and the use of Pimp C likeness. Linking with EST Gee was also a great choice as he has been on a trailblazing path to the top in today’s hip hop. This year alone, EST Gee has released several collaborative projects, a deluxe version of his new album, and a string of a-list collaborations.
Yella’s Bad Azz Yella Boy features newly-signed QC’s Icewear Vezzo. The 16 track project includes buzzworthy singles “DFWM” and “Not Me.” Beezy signed with Asylum earlier this year following his departure from L.A. Reid’s Hitco Records.
Beezy is currently preparing his as-yet-titled forthcoming album, expected top of 2023.
Watch “Pimp C” above and stream Bad Azz Yella Boy below.
Despite The Notorious B.I.G. rapping “you never thought that hip-hop would take it his far” on his 1994 breakout single “Juicy,” even he might have been shocked to see just how far the genre has come since then if we were still around. After all, when he wrote that line, the genre had only been around for around twenty years, going by the widely accepted “birthday” of August 11, 1973. For much of that time, hip-hop was seen as a passing fad, a little like its immediate predecessor disco.
But here we are, coming up on hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The culture and the music both look way different than they did when they started, even factoring in the 20-year fashion cycle. One thing that can’t be denied, though, is that hip-hop underwent some of its biggest stylistic evolutions and innovations during the ’90s when people finally began to realize that this “fad” might be here to stay. And while things have changed a lot, many of those innovations remain the bedrock upon which almost all future offshoots of hip-hop are based.
While there have been multiple generations born into a world where hip-hop has always been part of pop culture, those generations often find themselves at odds because as new fans are born every day — literally or figuratively — they often come into those discussions missing valuable context about the roots and history of the music both sides love so much. Rather than shooing these newcomers out the proverbial gates, why don’t we welcome them in?
Being a good citizen starts with a good education, and since it’s hard to know where to start with the hip-hop canon, we wanted to give the kids (and new hip-hop fans of all ages) a primer on some of the most groundbreaking and important rap albums of the ’90s. By no means is this list comprehensive or complete — that’d be borderline impossible without turning it into a book instead — but these albums have contributed to a canon that has turned out to be dynamic, inclusive, and at times borderline ridiculous. You might see some familiar favorites or even a few unexpected additions, but they all form part of hip-hop’s beloved and elaborate tapestry.
(P.S. In case it’s not immediately obvious, this list is in alphabetical order. Please don’t mistake this for a ranking and yell at me for putting MC Lyte “above” Tupac or something stupid like that.)
8Ball & MJG — Comin’ Out Hard
You might be surprised to see the 1993 debut album from the Memphis duo here, but one listen to the title track will almost certainly call to mind the groovy style still in use today by the likes of Curren$y, Denzel Curry, Joey Badass, Larry June, Le$, and more.
A Tribe Called Quest — Midnight Marauders
As the debate between which Tribe album, 1991’s Low End Theory or 1993’s Midnight Marauders, holds more weight in the Queens crew’s canon, there’s simply no denying that the latter saw them at the height of their powers, standing toe-to-toe with gigantic contemporaries as the standard-bearers for so-called “alternative hip-hop” on the radio and at MTV.
Black Star — Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are…
When you think of modern “conscious rap” today, nearly every practitioner of the form comes from the lineage of this culture defining album.
Da Brat — Funkdafied
She may have been a gender-flipped Snoop Dogg clone on her 1994 debut, but she was the first female solo rap act to receive a platinum certification, opening the door for the sisterhood to follow. She proved women could be commercially viable — and inadvertently opened the door for queer representation in hip-hop, even if it took 25 years for her to openly admit her sexuality.
De La Soul — Stakes Is High
De La Soul’s discography is one of the heartiest in hip-hop history — and the hardest to hear — but their 1996 album remains a high watermark as an exemplar of the then-burgeoning underground movement against hip-hop’s growing commercialism.
E-40 — In A Major Way
Aside from being one of hip-hop’s longest-tenured pioneers to retain a foothold on contemporary tastes, E-40 is also one of its foremost businessmen. He showed rappers how to grind independently without label backing; in addition, the stripped-down production of his early Bay Area projects has come to define the sound of many modern rising rappers, from Southern California to Detroit.
Freestyle Fellowship — Innercity Griots
The criminally overlooked Los Angeles collective might not be a household name, but their jazz-influenced, freeform take on the genre had a lasting impact on alternative rap, from their contemporaries like Pharcyde to modern-day descendants such as Kendrick Lamar. Their 1993 sophomore album took a quantum leap in innovation from their 1991 debut To Whom It May Concern…
Lauryn Hill — The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
20 years later, the argument about whether Ms. Hill’s 1998 solo debut belongs in the rap category or the R&B one continues. But one thing is for certain: it’s the blueprint on which dozens of future stars’ albums are built.
Lil Kim — Hardcore
Let’s put it this way: If you like pretty much any female rapper in 2022, there’s a 99 percent chance there’s some Lil Kim in her stylistic DNA. From Nicki Minaj to Cardi B and all their flourishing progeny, Lil Kim is the godmother of them all, bringing unabashed sex appeal, unfiltered raunchiness, and high fashion sensibilities to gritty, mafioso-style rap. It all started here in 1997.
MC Lyte — Bad As I Wanna Be
Without MC Lyte, there wouldn’t be a Lauryn Hill — or a Rapsody, Blimes & Gab, or dozens of other flow-forward women in rap who earned the respect of the fellas while holding it down for the ladies.
Missy Elliott — Supa Dupa Fly
Futuristic, funky, and fun; Missy Elliott’s debut album brought a completely unique perspective to the rap world in 1997. It’s been discussed before but it can never be overstated: Hip-hop has never seen an artist like Missy and it might never do so again. Supa Dupa Fly reintroduced the world to the Virginia native’s golden pen and her industry-defining partnership with Timbaland.
Mobb Deep — The Infamous
Let’s say you really love the menacing, blunt street rap from acts like Griselda rappers Benny The Butcher and Mach-Hommy. You owe a debt to Mobb Deep’s 1995 sophomore release. Leaps and bounds beyond their ’93 debut Juvenile Hell, The Infamous practically created a subgenre in itself — one that remains darkly alluring to all kinds of hip-hop fans from the rugged ghettos depicted here to the desk jockeys bumping Freddie Gibbs in their Priuses before clocking in for a hard day of accounting.
Nas — Illmatic
Look, man. This album could never be considered overrated for the fact that Nas still has a career after I Am… and Nastradamus sheerly because hip-hop fans felt in their bones that he had the potential to match this. He hasn’t yet, but he’s gotten closer than he has in years thanks to Hit-Boy. Still, a gold standard debut that I’ve taken to using for anyone who overachieves their first time at anything (see also: Jordan Peele).
The Notorious B.I.G. — Ready To Die
Another pick so obvious, you almost want to skip it, but know you couldn’t, because there are some sacred cows you just leave alone. Origin of the above-mentioned awed line, Ready To Die is so meaningful perhaps mostly because it kicked off the so-called “jiggy era.” It had glitzy production, flashier presentation, and oh yeah, it pretty much gave Puff Daddy free license for the next 25+ years of shenanigans.
Outkast — Aquemini
Give Outkast credit for elevating (heh) so much three albums into their careers. In 1998, they could have rested on their laurels. ATLiens had reversed hip-hop’s view of Southern rap, set them apart from almost everything else out, and justified Andre 3000’s Source Awards declaration that “the Souf got sum to say.” Then, they went to another dimension, crafting a trippy, P-funk-inspired excursion beyond the boundaries of contemporary hip-hop sound. This is when Outkast really started to become Outkast.
The Roots — Things Fall Apart
I will admit some bias here; “You Got Me” was my favorite song when it came out in 1999, and completely changed my perspective of what hip-hop could be. Apparently, it did so for plenty of others, as well; “You Got Me” won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2000, legitimizing alternative hip-hop in the eyes of the wider musical establishment once and for all. This one is 90 percent of the reason Questlove’s opinions hold so much weight.
Snoop Dogg — Doggystyle
In 1993, all eyes were on Snoop after his breakout appearance on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic two years before. He knocked it out of the park, becoming a nigh-ubiquitous figure in American pop culture seemingly overnight. What’s impressive is that his current persona is almost night and day with the rambunctious young adult who detailed his life of pimping, gangbanging, and being the biggest dog on the block.
Three 6 Mafia — Mystic Styles
You can’t listen to the Memphis group’s 1993 debut without instantly hearing so many of the musical elements that define modern rap: the trunk thump, the skittering snares, and the pitter-pat rap cadence that can be heard in the flows of artists from ASAP Rocky to Megan Thee Stallion — to say nothing of a swarm of the Mafia’s successors in the Memphis scene like Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, Duke Deuce, and more.
Tupac — All Eyez On Me
“He runnin’ around like he ‘Pac.” When Kanye said that, he was referring to this 1996 version of Tupac Shakur (there are so many, after all): The swaggering, thugged-out, and increasingly paranoid superstar Tupac became between his release from prison and his fatal shooting seven months after the album’s release. Was its impact inflated a bit by that latter fact? The world may never know, but for a time, Tupac seemed invincible and this album is a huge part of the reason why — and why so many rappers still mimic ’96 Pac’s persona to this day.
UGK — Ridin’ Dirty
You just can’t talk about Southern hip-hop without talking about Houston. This 1996 album is a large part of the reason why. While the city had a flourishing hip-hop scene of its own before this, Ridin’ Dirty demonstrated just how influential that scene could be. Its impact reverberated through 2005’s Houston breakout, which in turn informed a last genre-wide infatuation with chopped and screwed beats. Arguably it all started here, with the duo’s best-selling album — a status it acquired with no official singles and minimal label promotion.
Wu-Tang Clan — Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
If you ever “Shimmy Shimmy Ya’d” or if your favorite rapper rhymes incessantly about anime, thank these guys for breaking down the door. They also set the precedent for massive super crews like Raider Klan, Beast Coast, Odd Future, and Brockhampton, created the blueprint for Kanye’s chipmunk-soul production style, and spawned a veritable family tree of acolytes, associates, imitators, and literal offspring that continues to expand throughout the world of hip-hop.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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