Hip Hop Lives Online: We Make the World Go Round

Artist: Bun B

Album: II Trill

Reviewed by: Panama

Bernard Freeman is truly an Underground King. On II Trill Bun B brings out all the hired guns loaded and cocked. With the sudden demise of his partner in rhyme Pimp C, Bun B brought along a whole cast of soldiers to play the frontline with him. Although his name is on the front cover I would not call this a solo effort. With that being said, Bun still holds his own amongst what some may call today’s top 10 list of rappers. I must say Pimp C is definitely missed. It’s like hearing Public Enemy without Flavor Flav.

On the song “That’s Gangster” featuring Sean Kingston, Bun spits his usual on time street rhymes and is backed by a live JR Rotem produced track. I just would hate to see a hard ass video with the chubby low budget Akon (Sean Kingston) smiling all the way through it. On the track “Damn I’m Cold“ featuring Lil Wayne, produced by On the Chops, Lil Wayne sounds like he’s on a cup of that lean and chewing a pack of Now or Laters (what the f**k is he saying?) I guess that was his ode to Pimp C. Next up is the track titled “Your Everything“. I love this Mr. Lee produced track that samples Jodeci for the hook and throughout the song. On this track each rapper gives a stellar performance. With a line up like the Boss Rick Ross, David Banner, and Memphis’s own 8 Ball and MJG, Bun couldn’t go wrong. On “Swang On Em” featuring the kick push kid himself, Lupe Fiasco, Bun falls prey to the Renegade curse where your feature out shines you on your own track.(ie: Eminem on Jay Z’s Renegade).

Jumping around the CD we next come to the song “Pop It Off For Pimp“. This joint is strictly for the strip club. Mouse’s drums and strong bass line gives you visions of shiny poles and VIP rooms while Phatz and Webbie join Bun popping bottles and making it rain all over the track. To end it off Bun gives tribute to his brother Pimp C on “Angel In The Sky“. This was the perfect ending. Bun by himself delivers like only he could. Over an ill Cozmo track Bun makes Pimp smile down on him and with that, I think Pimp would be proud of the album that he put together. This album is Bun B straight spitting his insight on his southern life-stlye, street life and the harsh realities that we all live through on a daily basis. Bun still stands tall as a legend in Hip Hop that garners respect from anybody touching a mic today. UGK will forever hold claim to being the forefathers to what all the southern rappers are doing today. The Underground Kingz are what Rakim and KRS-1 are to the East Coast and what N.W.A. and Ice-T are to the West Coast. Considering all the guest appearances on this album, it shows how much love UGK has in this game and with help from the likes of Jazze Pha, Chamillionare, Mike Jones and Clinton Sparks you can’t help but want to pick this album up when you see it in stores. This album is scheduled to release April 29, 2008. Pimp C R.I.P…