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A Triumphant Return From The Underground

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By CURTIS ROSS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2007

Port Arthur, Texas, duo UGK threatened to go underground permanently when MC Pimp C (Chad Butler) went to prison in 2002. Partner Bernard Freeman (Bun B) marked time with a solo album until Butler's release in late 2005.

The pair makes its return in a big way with 'Underground Kingz,' a two-CD release that feels tight, never sprawling, and moves from solid to outstanding over the course of 26 tracks (three bonus track remixes are easily ignored).

The respect UGK gets from the hip-hop community is evident in the interviews on the package's bonus DVD, but even more so on the range of guests appearing on 'Underground Kingz' - Rick Ross, Outkast, Dizzee Rascal, Talib Kweli and Big Daddy Kane among them.

It's only on 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You),' though, that the hosts come close to getting upstaged by the guests, in this case Outkast.

Other appearances are more complementary, in particular Too $hort's shot on 'Life Is 2009,' where his old-school West Coast flow brilliantly plays off Pimp C's Dirty South drawl.

Disc One is near irresistible, packed with club-bangers and potential hits. But Disc Two is the true gem: The productions take more chances, the lyrics achieve rare depth and both Pimp C and Bun B let down their gangsta guard long enough to display a range of emotion almost unheard of in contemporary hip hop.

'Underground Kingz' balances UGK's twin influences of N.W.A.-style thug life and Public Enemy's social consciousness, a raw combination of brains, brawn and heart.

Download this: 'How Long Can It Last'

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