Business as usual

With his partner and friend Pimp C in jail, Bun B has no choice but to put out a solo album. The Texas town rapper, who rose to fame as half of the lengendary southern duo UGK, has recently appeared on records with the likes of Lil' Jon, Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z just to name a few. Yet, with all these collaborations in his midst, there is only one person Bun B truly wishes to be working with…but until his time is up, Bun B is working hard to hold it down alone.

Chocolate recently caught up with Bun B to find how he’s handling life without Pimp and what to expect from his upcoming solo debut Trill.

What was the biggest difference in putting together your solo project?
Everything. It was a whole new process from start to finish. I did everything before with two people in mind and this time I did it with one. The total reworking of music and recording, you know, interplay with other artists and what not. Everything was brand new. It was a completely different process.

You rapped on the Ying Yang twins album about Pimp C being in jail, are there any songs on your album dedicated to him?

No cause, every rhyme I’ve written has said something about Pimp being in jail, so I don’t really need to.


How often do you talk to him?
I can go see him once a month--once every two months. We correspond through letters, I holla at him through the radio all the time.

Even though you had already been in the game for years, many people say your appearance on Jay-Z’s 2003 summer hit Big Pimpin’ was a turning point in your career, do you agree?

Yeah, it was turning point, it definitely had its advantages - Grammy nominations and stuff like that, but I don’t sit around and question everything. God will take everything, so I just do what I do and keep moving.

You’ve already worked with Lil’ Jon, Beanie Siegel, Scarface, TI, Pitbull, Nas, Jadakiss, Mannie Fresh, Three Six Mafia, what was your favorite collaboration thus far?

Probably the song I did with Pimp C. They were all beneficial to me, but that’s like asking which one of my children was cuter. I’ve never understood that, I’d hate to think that one of my kids was better than the other. And honestly the best collaboration, I probably haven’t recorded it yet.

What’s your biggest regret about your Jive records deal?
No regrets. I don't regret anything.

You wouldn’t do anything differently?
Nothing.

What’s it like being on rap-a-lot compared to Jive?

I’m more a part of the process and I don’t have to worry about what people are doing when I’m not around.

When can we expect the first video?
We just shot it in Houston just showing the hood. See with me we don’t any pre-planned, we just cut the cameras on and rolled around to just see what’s going on in the hood.

How are you helping out the victims of Hurricane Katrina that have relocated to Houston?
We’re trying to facilitate those people as best we can, we have a shelter, we’re personally taking care of 200 people, the problem is scheduling is backed up. But as far as major MTV benefits or whatever, I don’t get invited to stuff like that.

Why do you think people have been so resistant to Southern Music?
I think that the media perpetuated that, I don’t really think it was the fans. I think it was the industry. Once the fans got a hold of it, it was all good.

You and Pimp C are often credited with putting southern music on the mainstream radar. Now there seems to be a sort of southern takeover, how does it feel to see artist like Young Jeezy and T.I. coming out of the south and really doing their thing, and know that you helped pave the way?
I think to an extent we helped, and if I have been a part of their success, I feel great about it.

After being in the game so long, what are you looking for now, you’ve got respect, do you still want stardom?
No, not at all, I’m perfectly happy. A lot of money would be nice. I’m fine with my stardom but I could use a lot more money.
Leigh Davenport