Production From: Big Tyme, Blackout Movement, CHOPS, Clinton Sparks, Cory Mo, Cozmo, DJ Khalil, Enigma, Jazze Pha, JR Rotem, J-Roc, Mouse, Mr. Lee, Scott Storch
There’s so much weight on the sizable shoulders of Bernard Freeman he’s going to have to change his name from Bun B to Atlas. Over the last few years Bun B has become Texas’ unofficial hip-hop ambassador, maintaining his elite status while the careers of his Houston compatriots Paul Wall and Mike Jones fade by the minute. As if being responsible for an entire state’s nationwide rep wasn’t enough, Bun is also the sole representative of UGK after his longtime partner Pimp C recently passed away, just as the legendary duo were finally getting the respect they so long deserved. So now Bun has to carry the torch for the spirit of Pimp C, all of Texas and a sizable portion of the entire south. Other than that, he’s taking it easy.
With UGK’s epic last album still fresh in the eardrums of America, Bun has released a sequel to his critically acclaimed debut album Trill titled…wait for it… II Trill. Bun’s goal for Trill was to turn the nation’s attention to the Texas size bass lines blasting out his speakers. Mission accomplished. But now that he has everyone’s attention there are some weighty expectations to live up to. Apparently all the pressure has only served as candy paint to his musical Cadillac, pushing Bun to take his Southern soaked hustling to the next level. II Trill isn’t deep enough to be considered a classic, but he’s certainly done everyone depending on him proud – on Earth and in heaven.
As long as Bun is leading Houston’s charge to stay in the national spotlight than H-Town has a fighting chance. Throughout II Trill Bun holds class on his own brand of Southern hip-hop, a grinding and swaying music that undercuts window rattling bass with gospel organs and strumming guitars straight out of a dusty blues club. Combine all of the above and you’ll get Damn I’m Cold, a UGK worthy track that finds Lil Wayne dropping yet a merely decent (by his standards) guest verse. For his part Bun is as steady as ever; the man might not lyrically amaze you, but he never falters, and that kind of consistency is harder to find than a fat girl at a roller skating rink. You’re Everything takes a grimier tact with an insanely low bass line and the Southern mob of Rick Ross, David Banner and 8Ball and MJG on the mic, but even with all the star power Bun still has the presence to own his own track. Even the Lupe Fiasco assisted Swang On ‘Em hits harder than Mike Tyson on a steroid binge. I don’t know if you can ever be too trill, but Bun comes close.
Bun’s also feeling some pressure to feed his family, or at least make sure they attend some of the nation’s most expensive colleges. That’s the only way to explain II Trill’s low points, the tracks that veer into that foggy gray area where the streets meet the radio dial. I respect Bun’s ability to work with anyone, but I’m still going to pretend like That’s Gangsta never happened, and I suggest you do the same, unless you’re idea of gangsta is listening to a tubby kid singing a mediocre hook. As long as we’re on the subject, Just Be Good To Me was an annoying song in the 90’s, and adding Mya to the chorus and calling it Good II Me doesn’t improve the situation much. I’m not hating on the man for making some money (I save my hatred for radio and label execs), I’m just saying there’s a reason you’re stereo comes equipped with a next button. Use it as you see fit.
There was a time when I underestimated Bun’s lyrical versatility, but thankfully I’ve come to realize Bun’s far more complex than the surface of his music often portrays, in fact he’s one of the most political rappers in mainstream music. On Get Cha Issue he breaks down hypocrites from every walk of life, from millionaire preachers to crooked cops, with surgical precision, and on the reggae infused If It Was Up II Me he takes on the inequalities of the education system with the strength of a gangster. It’s this emergence of the other side of Bun B, the scholar behind the wheel of a wood-grained Caddy, that establishes II Trill as a landmark moment for Texas hip-hop. Long live the South! Long live the South! R.I.P. Pimp C!
While listening to this album, which I plan to buy later today/tomorrow, I wondered if Pimp C would have kept Bun B's spirit alive the way Bun B has kept his. We'll never the know the answer to that question, though, but we will know that Bun B will continue to rep Texas, Pimp C/UGK, and the entire south as long as he lives. Not only that, but Bun B will always "Keep It 100", hands down. He's the rapper you know that will never falter. R.I.P. Pimp C! Also, isn't it called "Pop It 4 Pimp"?
well personally I dislike "Damn Im Cold".. the rapping by both is mediocre, or at least it seems like that cuz its overshadowed by a loud but crappy beat. the bass doesn't save it, it actually further puts the beat over the rappers.. The album for me started with "You're Everything" and doesn't stop banging. Good review man, your last few sentences say it well.
To sum it up: Best album I've heard in a WHILE. So many great songs, great tribute songs to Pimp C, great political songs, great gangster songs, overall a great album. I agree that Thats Gangsta was really weak with Kingston, bad move. And I heard a snippet of Damn I'm Cold a long time ago and waynes verse was much better on that then it is on this one. From then on, album is amazing. Swang On Em is great, lupe and bun b kill it. Pop It 4 Pimp is a great song too, a nice tribute to the Pimp, wonder why he chose it though, did Pimp C love "Back that azz up" and did he choose Webbie because he sounds semi-similar to Pimp C's voice? Underground Thang - loved it, great to hear Pimp C like that thanking Bun B for keeping his name up all the time. Bun B always keeps it 100.
I just picked this up at the record store a couple of days ago and gave it a full listen today. The album is a really strong and well thought out project from Bun B. At times when an album has an excess amount of featured artists, it takes the focus away from the main performer, but Bun B still shines through the numerous guest spots. It is clear that each song has a pivotal purpose and the production work is spot on to compliment TX's signature swaggg. UGK 4 LIFE.
I agree with MuzzieBoi about the Pimp C. This album has some mediocre tracks.."be good to me", "pop it 4 a pimp", but some bangers..If I die 2nite..Young Buck & Bun B GO so hard on that tracks it's a classic..But the amazing thing is, that despite the amount of features on the album, you still know who the main rapper is....Bun B.Ugk for life!!!
In my opinion, this Album was NICE! I thought that this album would be good because Bun B has been killing EVERYTHING as of late! You're Everything is the hottest Track to me, but overall, this is a 3.5 star album! Very good effort In my opinion!
Bun knocked this out. His debut album wasn't bad, but you could tell it was a first for him. II Trill is bumpin top to bottom. "You're Everything" is my cut, that is the best track, a true representation of the south, plus each guest spits solid bars (MJG with the best). "Get Cha Issue" is a pissed off Bun gettin at crooked cops, preachers and politicians, "If It Was Up II Me" is more mellow about change. That's Bun gettin political, but there are some bangers, "Another Soldier", "If I Die II Night" and "Underground Thang". Bun finishes it off with "Angel In The Sky" (Pimp C tribute) and the banging "Keep It 100". Solid album that is a satisfying southern disc.
Solid album from Bun Beater. I'm loving the variety of sounds on it, from the strip joint "Pop It 4 Pimp" to reggae inspired "If It Was Up II Me". He spits harder than most rappers in the game right now, and has done since "Too Hard To swallow". My favourite tracks are "Angel in the Sky", "Keep it 100" and "Good II Me", in which his rhymes complement the amazing production, especially on "Good II Me", where the 70s-esque sample is brought perfectly into the 21st century, with hard a electric guitar solo. And also, CHOPS on production on "Damn I'm Cold" and "Keep It 100" takes the album to the next level.
Solid album with some hard rhymes which I feel can test the likes of Weezy and Hove.
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