UGK
There was a time in the history of hip-hop when nobody would have considered the contributions that the deep South of North America would make to the genre. For much of the 90s hip-hop was defined solely by the East Coast scene in New York and the West Coast scene in California. By the mid-90s that had all changed with the arrival of top-line acts from Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana. The mainstream scene would be shaken by off-kilter artists and groups like Outkast, Goodie Mob, and Three 6 Mafia, and the underground scene would have a Southern representative in the duo of Bun B & Pimp C, better known as UGK. (Underground Kingz)
Though the duo had been together since the late 1980s, they wouldn’t reach major commercial attention until 1996, which saw UGK’s first major label effort: Ridin’ Dirty. The album was the third in their discography, and is now widely considered one of the greatest Southern rap records of all time, representing every essence of iconography that has continued to be associated with the genre. Bun B’s lyrics about street hustling and celebratory urban excess were laid across Pimp C’s dusty beats sampling deep soul, gospel, and funk music, with imagery of candy-painted cars, extravagant jewelry, late-night weed sessions, and undying love for their hometown of Houston.
Ridin’ Dirty was UGK’s greatest commercial and critical release, and led to other major successes, including famous guest appearances on tracks by Jay-Z (“Big Pimpin”) and Three 6 Mafia (“Sippin’ Some Syrup”), and their Billboard #1 album Underground Kingz in 2007. (Which featured their only Top 200-charting song “International Players Anthem.”) Ultimately the duo would reach their end with the overdose death of Pimp C the same year. Though UGK are no more as a duo, Get On Down is honored to recognize the legacy of Ridin’ Dirty with a special LP reissue, which features re-mastered sound and a clear vinyl pressing!
CRITICAL PRESS FOR RIDIN’ DIRTY
“…UGK is just as hedonistic and materialistic as those rappers out on the West Coast, but they don’t infuse their music with the deep funk of the Cali scene, nor do they revel in the buoyant bass of their Miami brethren. Instead, they take a more stripped-down approach, which is all the better to hear their celebrations of money, drugs, women — all of the typical gangsta accessories…”
“All of Ridin’ Dirty feels iconic now—not least because so many of its lyrics have since been cribbed by everyone from Slim Thug to Jay Z. There’s the laid-back badassery of “Diamonds and Wood,” the zoned-out celebration of “3 in the Morning,” the ridiculous boasting of “Fuck My Car.” Everything here is essential.”
– Complex (#30 Best Rap Album Of The 90s)
“…One of the greatest one-man performances in the history of rap, over beats by one of the greatest producers ever, done while they were hitting their creative, commercial and intellectual stride. Ridin’ Dirty was perfectly timed, both in its sound and very existence…”
“…All three albums reflect what life is about in UGK’s world, but “Ridin’ Dirty” has a stronger cohesiveness and concept to it. They cover a great array of topics, but one can take “Ridin’ Dirty” as one night in one car, following UGK as they pay their respects, take care of some suckers, move some weight, get some groupies, and avoid the police all while the locked up homie keeps calling collect to maintain his sanity while in prison.”
“…Ridin’ Dirty has few faults. Almost every track is entertaining, and even the ones that pick at your brain and conscience are largely fun. The songs don’t grow tired even though the subject matter and production style is fairly similar throughout: instead, the project ends up sounding even more cohesive…”
