BUN B: KEEPIN IT 'TRILL' AGAIN: UKG rapper releases second solo disc and talks about Pimp C.

Written by Kenya M Yarbrough

Rapper Bun B is most known as one half of the dirty-South duo UGK, the record UGK label, and Trill Entertainment – named for the phrase the duo made famous which means going beyond ‘keepin’ it real’ in keeping it ‘trill.’

But Bun B is moving on after the 2007 death of his partner Pimp C, and has released his second solo album and become a reluctant solo star.

Bun B and partner Pimp C were part of the revolution of Texas lyricists to reshape hip-hop. UGK’s first major appearances were on Jay Z's “Big Pimpin'” and Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin' on Some Sizzurp” in 2000. But at the same time, with the hot hits coming from their hot Texas home, Pimp C faced some legal problems, which led to some time in jail. However, it was that unfortunate incident that led Bun B to originally take on the mic solo, and release his debut “Trill” in 2005.

“On [that] first solo album, there’s a little apprehension,” he began. “I never wanted to be a solo artist and I never aspired toward a solo career. It was really done more as a means to an end as the best way to keep UGK alive while Pimp C was locked up. So I actually gained a solo career because of that.”

But an even greater tragedy led up to Bun B’s second solo disc. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead in his West Hollywood hotel room from what LA Coroner’s office said was an accidental overdose of Promethazine/Codeine – the very “syrup” he rapped about on the 2000 hit song.

“But going into this solo album, there’s no apprehension,” Bun B continued. “We knew exactly what we wanted to do. Now we’re not just ‘trill,’ we’re 'too-trill.' We know what we’re doing, now. We put out a solo album before just because and it was an incredible album. So now that we know what we’re doing and we’ve got that confidence – this album is ‘II Trill’.”

Bun B says that he stills feel Pimp C’s spirit in his music and performances, but admitted that it hasn’t been easy moving on after his death.

“It’s not an easy road for me to walk,” he said, “but it’s definitely a harder road for his mother, his children, and his wife to walk. I try to keep my sprit intact, and stay strong and keep my head up because I know what it is he would have wanted me to do and where he would have wanted me to take this thing. I’m trying to do my best to fulfill that without putting a lot of pressure on myself.”

Bun B also said that the pressure of replacing Pimp C isn’t anything he’s planning to create either. He says that that will never happen.

“I feel like UGK is something that I more directly share with the fans,” he said. “I consider all my fans to be the other part of UGK. They have a lot of love for him, not just as an artist, but as a person, and they want him remembered as well.”

As a matter of fact, he literally has fans taking on the role of Pimp C. When performing UGK songs, he brings the fans into it, letting the fans be the emcee.

“It was something we kind of did a little bit while he was locked up, but more so now. They love him just like I do and they have no problem showing their love and rockin’ the lyrics. It’s a beautiful thing.”

With the admission of being a bit uncertain in releasing his first solo disc, Bun B is quite confident in the work he’s put in on the second, though he explained to EUR’s Lee Bailey that in coming back with more confidence in his solo presentation put a little pressure on him.

“As an artist you have to be very careful as to what obstacles you put in front of yourself,” he said. “Sometimes your worst enemy can be you. You start getting into the feeling that you’ve got to live up to certain things and certain expectations – sometimes it’s true to a certain degree – but you can’t put unnecessary and unrealistic pressure on yourself; the industry does enough of that and the press and the media and your friends do enough of that for you. You have to be very realistic in what you do.”

Realistically, the new disc, which is expected to hit shelves on May 20, is already getting buzz off the first single “That’s Gangsta,” featuring Sean Kingston. Bestowed the title of hip-hop legend, Bun B is touting the disc and the title – though modestly.

“It’ definitely something you don’t give yourself,” he said of being referred to as a legend. “It’s meant as an accolade, so you don’t want to not accept it. It does kind of hand you over to the older guard, but I’m learning more and more how to wear that title.”