Album: Bun B – II Trill

advertisement

It has been a challenging time for revered Houston rapper Bun B. It has been just a few month since the passing of his partner-in-rhyme, Chad ‘Pimp C’ Butler; a man he blazed a trail with in the Hip Hop arena (as UGK) and somebody who he fought for so vigilantly during his incarceration, with the ‘Free Pimp C’ campaign.

Like a true artist, he has soldiered on, releasing the highly anticipated sequel to his 2005 solo debut Trill, a project that sounds like both a statement and a labor of love. While the presence of his brother from another looms and the UGK specter is present, it is used as motivation rather than an excuse to dwell on the past.

One of Bun’s strengths has been his ability to stay sharp and current, despite a rapidly changing climate. The perfect example on II Trill is the richly soulful Damn I’m Cold, where he sounds perfectly comfortable riding the sterling beat provided by Chops, alongside current crown-holder Lil’ Wayne. The same can be said for the braggadocios Underground Thang, a track that would sound right at home on a vintage UGK release; joined by Chamillionaire and Pimp C (in posthumous form), big Bun sounds as menacing as ever.

Sean Kingston and Junior Reid both inject their distinct Caribbean flavour to That’s Gangsta and If It Was Up To Me respectively, two of the album’s strongest moments. Meanwhile, the combination of Bun, Lyfe Jennings and Young Buck on If I Die II Night makes for a track that is both stirring and hard-as-nails.

The second solo effort from the self-proclaimed Tony Snow is certainly more polished and worldly than its predecessor, although that doesn’t mean it’s without a few hiccups.

Pop It 4 Pimp (which is more or less a revamped version of Juvenile’s Back That Azz Up) and the half-decent Good II Me, both could have been left on the cutting floor to the benefit of the over 60-minute playing time. The rather pedestrian Swang On Em makes for a strange mixture, as Lupe Fiasco drops by for an ill-fitting cameo. With some truly tremendous production on display, you would think that Lupe could feature on a more flattering beat.

With the death of Pimp C fresh in the minds of many, Bun delivers a touching tribute on the down-tempo Angel In The Sky, expressing both love and regret (“they say it’s always darkest before the dawn and that you don’t know what you got until its gone/I thought I knew what I had but I was wrong and that’s why I’ve got to write this song”). Classy.

Putting aside the mixed reactions that people have to Hip Hop music from the south, Bun B has crafted a fantastic listening experience, which has enough appeal for both the younger set and the older more refined listeners. II Trill has to be one of 2008’s strongest releases so far. Forever trill!

Available through Rap-A-Lot/Asylum Records