You should know by now that UGK released its last album in April. By most standards the release of UGK 4 Life made a respectable showing. It sold 77,000 units the first week and debuted no. 6 on the Billboard 200. But it also marks the last time any of us will hear Bernard “Bun B” Freeman and Chad “Pimp C” Butler create that Port Arthur/Houston sound that has come to define east Texas for more than two decades.
Saying it’s the last hurrah would be nothing short of an understatement. It is the end of the golden age of Houston hip hop. The tough questions about Pimp C’s death in December 2007 have been asked, and somewhat answered, but what lingered was how would Bun B and those who have loved UGK since Too Hard To Swallow would close the final chapter of the Underground Kingz. Theblvdmag.com caught up with Bun B for a brief moment to get his thoughts about UGK 4 Life and life after UGK.
BLVD: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. You’ve said that working on this album was overwhelming at times. Can you take us back to the days and evenings you spent finishing the album without Pimp C?
BUN B: Everyone involved with the process was close friends with Pimp C, so even though we put our all in all of our projects, this one was different. Everyone tried to walk it the way that Pimp would walk it, but no one could fully duplicate his touch on everything we did.
BLVD: Do you think that he’s proud of what you created?
BUN B: I like to believe so. I like to believe that he’s pleased with what we produced.
BLVD: What are some of your peers saying about the album?
BUN B: They’re telling me they like it and I have to believe that they’re telling me the truth. I have friends who are real friends in this industry and they would let me know if I was heading down a wrong path with this one, but I think they’re telling me the truth.
BLVD: Pimp C’s final album will be released in a few months, what’s next for you and your solo career?
BUN B: I’m trying to get back into the studio, get back to recording and doing shows, and talking to people. I’m interested in a few projects that I can’t discuss yet.
BLVD: I’m sure what you have planned is going to be out of the box because the recording industry is crumbling.
BUN B: I think everybody is just trying to get the reorganization and structure of the music industry. The economy is having an effect on the way people are doing business across the board, including these CEOs. They’re looking at their bottom line differently. Either way, at the end of the day we gotta keep making music.
BLVD: But, you can make music and people still won’t buy it. Do you think the fans will still be there to support this industry?
BUN B: People aren’t buying music like they used to, and artists have to understand that you can’t rely on your last hit. What’s going to make a difference is about people having a real relationship with the music. It’s about making yourself accessible and out there as an artist.
BLVD: When not making music, what else are you doing?
BUN B: I’m making myself more available to the community. It’s not always about money, but more time and energy.
BLVD: That’s commendable.
BUN B: I’m really just doing what I would do if I weren’t an entertainer. It’s my civic duty, not only as an entertainer, but as a citizen.
© 2009 – 2010, Keisha Jenkins. All rights reserved by Sub Urban Media Group.
About Keisha Jenkins
Bun B is the truth, ppl act like they dont know. He has that real Texas sound.
I love that he is doing things in his community. Most people would expect that. RIP Pimp C.