UGK was a Grammy-Award nominated hip-hip duo that originated in Port Arthur, Texas in 1987, by Chad "Pimp C" Butler. Bernard "Bun B" Freeman became his long term partner and in 1992, Too Hard to Swallow and several other albums charted the Billboard 200 as well as Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts. This included their album Underground Kingz, which debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200 in August of 2007.

UGK - Underground Kingz

"We are major representatives of our culture, our region, and our people."

UGK was a Grammy-Award nominated hip-hip duo that originated in Port Arthur, Texas in 1987, by Chad "Pimp C" Butler. Bernard "Bun B" Freeman became his long term partner and in 1992, Too Hard to Swallow and several other albums charted the Billboard 200 as well as Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts. This included their album Underground Kingz, which debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200 in August of 2007.

They have also been featured on hit singles by well-known artists, such as "Big Pimpin" by Jay-Z and Three 6 Mafia's "Sippin on Some Syrup".

UGK- Just Getting Started

In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records under a five-album contract. They released their major label debut album, Too Hard to Swallow. It featured many songs from The Southern Way; however, there were several songs which were removed because of explicit content. Five of the songs surfaced two months before the release of Too Hard to Swallow on an EP titled Banned that was distributed by Bigtyme Recordz. "Pocket Full of Stones" a popular song from this album, was featured on the soundtrack for the 1993 film Menace II Society.

Super Tight, their second album, was released two years later on August 30^th. Unlike the last album, the said album broke into the Billboard Hot 200 and eventually peaked at number ninety five. Their third album, Ridin' Dirty, reached number fifteen and was UGK's last album. This went on a five year hiatus.

Their Come Back

There was a breakthrough for the group in 2000. Underground Kingz made a high-profile guess appearance on Jay-Z's big hit "Big Pimpin'" and also on "Sippin' on some Syrup" performed by Three 6 Mafia. These collaborations increased their reputation and were helpful stepping stones for their next project. Their sixth album in 2001, Dirty Money, did not gain attention due to the failure of Jive Records to capitalize on the duo.

To add to the flop of the album, further problems aroused when Pimp C was incarcerated for aggravated assault in 2002. During the time of his imprisonment, Bun B carried on by doing many guest appearances/part on songs for other artists that either mentioned Pimp C, "Free Pimp C" or "Free the Pimp C". Their peers did the same with or without Bun B appearing. Jive records released the Best of UGK album, in addition to a chopped and screwed remix album. However, as the result of Pimp C's incarceration, they both had no other choice but to begin a solo career.

Pimp C released his solo debut, Sweet James Jones Stories with Rap-A-Lot-Records on March 1, 2005. Bun B also released his own solo, Trill on October 18, 2005. It reached number six on the Billboard Hot 200 and peaked at number one on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart. On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and he released his first album entitled Pimpalation on July 25, 2006.

August 7, 2007, Eponymous Underground Kingz, which contained twenty six tracks, featured such guests such as Talib Kweli, Too Short, Rick Ross, Three 6 Mafia, Slim Thug and OutKast. They had everyone take part in the album, which also included other hip-hop legends like Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane on the track "Next Up".

Death of Pimp C

Three days after performing, he was found dead on February 4, 2008 in a Hollywood Hotel. Pimp C was found dead in bed, apparently from an overdose of codeine syrup combined with sleep apnea. Pimp C's death was ruled out as an accident.

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