UGK Throws Listening Party for UGK 4 Life [Exclusive Coverage]

Filed Under: News, Exclusives, Listening Session by Erica L. on Feb 21, 2009

New York, NY -- A selected few members of New York’s hip hop media were treated to an exclusive preview of UGK’s final album at JIVE Label Group yesterday.

UGK 4 Life serves as a bittersweet ending to the duo’s musical legacy, as Pimp C passed away during the album's recording. Before playing the album, Bun B had a few words to share with the attendees:

“This is it. It may sound very cliché, but this is still very real to me; and it may be to some of you. This is it.”

With production by Mannie Fresh, Akon, Cory Mo, Steve Below and DJ B-Do, and guest appearances from Ron Isley, Big Gipp, Webbie and Too Short, the album doesn’t stray far from the Texas sound that UGK fans know and love. The duo has long been recognized for their after-hours tracks, and the Cory Mo-produced “She Luv It” has all the elements of a hit make-it-rain tune. Another Cory Mo production, “Everybody Wanna Ball,” pays homage to Pimp C’s verse from “Sippin’ On Some Sizzurp.”

“Hard As Hell,” an Akon production, takes on the struggles of a professional dancer, while Big Gipp collaboration “Purse Comes First” gives astute insight into political conspiracy theories over '70s brass. On the rock-influenced “Still On The Grind,” the duo team up with Raheem Devaughn to make their presence known and felt.

Songs like the thumping, Sleepy Brown-featuring “Swishas & Erb,” as well as the “7th Street” and “Texas Ave” interludes feature some impressive stream-of-consciousness rhymes from both emcees and “Used to Be,” a memorable ensemble cut featuring B. Legit, E-40 and 8Ball & MJG, finds the two describing their climb from humble origins to the very top of the music game.

The album's current single, “Da Game Been Good to Me,” which is co-produced by Averexx, is the perfect ending to the career-capping album, evoking eerily-appropriate images of cowboys riding off into the sunset.

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