UGK

Ok, here's something easier to write about: you need to listen to UGK's new album. Pimp C and Bun B are simply very talented at what they do, which is deliver well written raps about dealing drugs, having cars, having sex with women, and repping the South.

Based on this album I'd say they're probably the third best southern rappers around today in terms of lyricism and delivery (behind lil wayne and outkast and arbitrarily excluding clipse). Also, they've been around since the late 80's and are somehow still this talented/relevant. I've thought long and hard about this and can't name a single other rapper who comes even close to this amount of longevity and continued talent (closest I can think is Nas, i guess, but I've never been the biggest Nas fan).

The best moment on the whole album might be the first two verses on International Player's Anthem. The first is Andre's guest verse which manages to be both charming and lyrical clever, delivered with his slow talk-rap delivery, referencing both UFO's, chiropractors, and Gladys Knight over a soul sample and horns. "Keep your heart". Then that beat kicks in. And Pimp C statess " My bitch a choosey lover, never fuck without a rubber" following it with boasts about his cars, drugs, and so on. If it weren't delivered with such a fucking great flow it might be an awkward transition, but he pulls it off. It's just an absolute joy just to hear.

And it continues to be on song after song. And Bun B is obviously no slouch either.

Anyway, check it out, particularly International Player's Anthem, Game Belongs to Me, Quit Hatin' the South, and Cocaine (which gives a history lesson in that substance as well as featuring another favorite of mine Rick Ross).