Posted on 10/18/2005

 

Damn it. Nowadays it seems that any sort of hip-hop album with built-in anticipation never lives up to the hype. Such is the case with Bun B’s solo debut Trill. Bun B, UGK’s (and probably the entire South’s) best

yricist, has been grinding on the guest appearance

cene since Pimp C was locked up in 2001. It seems no

outhern release (or any hip-hop release for that

atter) was official without the Houston king’s

ontribution. And more often than not, Bun B outshined

veryone else. So it’s only appropriate that he asked

or some favors to be returned for his debut on

ap-A-Lot records.

“The Inauguration” is a clever intro featuring a

ynthesized version of the “Hail To The Chief” melody

n which Bun B’s lyrical prowess is introduced to

irgin ears. “Draped Up” (and it’s respective remix

eaturing Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Lil Flip,

hamlionaire and many other Houston representatives)

s a modern H-town affair with a bouncy bass-heavy

eat and a chopped chorus, but Bun doesn’t come as

ard as he usually does. “The Story” is more typical

GK-fare, a pimped-out and smooth guitar riff

ntertwined with faint vocal samples, as Bun B tells

he entire UGK story, from getting signed to Jive

ecords, to the present.

Although still incarcerated, Pimp C makes two

ppearances on Trill. “What I Represent” suffers

rom generic southern production courtesy of ex-Cash

oney Millionaire Mannie Fresh. Luckily “Get Throwned”

elps us forget that, as Bun B and Pimp C are joined

y Z-Ro, Young Jeezy, and President Carter himself,

ay-Z. But this is far from “Big Pimpin 2,” this is

lassic, laid-back UGK, with everyone not named Jeezy

ropping good verses.

Unfortunately, Trill suffers from too many guest

ppearances and sub-par production. “Git It” featuring

ing Yang Twins is yet another simplistic Mr.

ollipark rehash of “Wait (The Whisper Song)” and

oes nothing to show what Bun B is capable of as an

C. Similarly “I’m Ballin” with Jazzy Pha does nothing

o distinguish itself from every other Jazzy Pha

rack, and Bun B sounds out of place on this sort of

rack.

Trill is not a bad album. Ludacris, T.I., Trey

ongz, and Mike Jones also offer decent contributions,

ut this is not representative of what Bun B is

apable of. Losing some of the overly-crunk beats and

nnecessary guest spots, and having more UGK-type

racks would have definitely helped the album, and is

hat long-term Bun B fans would have liked to hear.