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UGK (short for Underground Kingz) was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, formed in 1987, by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. They released their first major-label album ''Too Hard to Swallow'', in 1992, followed by several other albums charting on the ''Billboard'' 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, including the self-titled ''Underground Kingz'' album, which debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, in August 2007. The duo has also been featured on hit singles by several other artists, such as on "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z and "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia. Pimp C founded UGK Records in late 2005. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead in a West Hollywood, California hotel room. ==History== In 1992, UGK was signed to Jive Records under a five-album contract, releasing their major-label debut album ''Too Hard to Swallow''.〔Bush, John. (UGK biography ). Allmusic. Accessed December 9, 2007.〕 While it featured several new recordings, it also featured several songs that had been culled from ''The Southern Way''.〔Jeffries, David. (Too Hard to Swallow ). Allmusic〕 However, several songs that had been intended to be included on the album were excised at the last minute, apparently due to their overly explicit content. Five of these songs would surface two months before the release of ''Too Hard to Swallow'', on an EP distributed by Bigtyme Recordz; appropriately enough, the EP was titled ''Banned''. A popular song from the album "Pocket Full of Stones" was also included on the Menace II Society soundtrack in 1993. Their second album, ''Super Tight'', was released two years later, on August 30. Unlike their previous album, ''Super Tight'' managed to break into the Billboard Hot 200 and ultimately peaked at #95; their third album, ''Ridin' Dirty'', peaked at #15.〔(UGK Billboard Album Chart Positions ). Allmusic. Accessed December 9, 2007〕 ''Ridin' Dirty'' would also be UGK's last album for the time being, as they went on a five-year hiatus not long afterward. The year 2000 became a breakthrough year for the group. UGK made a high-profile guest appearance on Jay-Z's smash hit "Big Pimpin'" and also appeared on Three 6 Mafia's hit "Sippin' on Some Syrup". Both of these collaborations greatly increased their reputation, and helped fuel anticipation for their next project . Jive Records failed to capitalize on this new-found interest in the duo, as their fourth album, 2001's ''Dirty Money'', came and went with little fanfare. Further problems arose when Pimp C was incarcerated for an aggravated gun assault charge in 2002.〔Harris, Chris. (UGK's Pimp C To Be Released From Prison Within A Month ). MTV News: December 6, 2005.〕 Throughout the time of his incarceration, Bun B carried on the UGK name by making numerous guest appearances on songs by other artists, with every appearance either mentioning Pimp C or featuring a "Free Pimp C!" or "Free the Pimp" chant. Many of UGK's peers did the same, and mentioned Pimp C in their own songs with or without Bun B.〔Jeffries, David. (Pimp C biography ). Allmusic. Accessed December 9, 2007〕 During this period, Jive Records released a ''Best of UGK'' album, as well as a Chopped & Screwed remix album.〔Jeffries, David. (Jive Records Presents: UGK Chopped and Screwed ). Allmusic: 2004〕 As a result of Pimp C's incarceration, both members of UGK began solo careers out of necessity. Rap-A-Lot Records released Pimp C's solo debut, ''Sweet James Jones Stories'', on March 1, 2005. Bun B later released his own solo foray, ''Trill'', on October 18, 2005. It opened at #6 on the Billboard Hot 200, and also peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-hop Album chart. On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and was to be on parole until December 2009,.〔(Rapper Pimp C Released from Prison ). Associated Press/''Billboard'': December 30, 2005.〕〔Rodriguez, Jayson. (Ex-Con Pimpet C Juiced For UGK Album, Says He Has Lessons To Teach ). MTV News: November 13, 2006.〕 He released his first post-incarceration album, titled ''Pimpalation'', on July 25, 2006.〔Jeffries, David. (Pimpalation ). Allmusic: 2006〕 On August 7, 2007, the group released their fifth studio album, the self-titled ''Underground Kingz''. It was a double album, containing 26 tracks and spanning two discs.〔Jeffries, David. (Underground Kingz ). Allmusic: 2007〕 Featured guests included Talib Kweli, Too Short, Rick Ross, Z-RO, Three 6 Mafia, Slim Thug, OutKast, as well as hip-hop legends Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane on a Marley Marl-produced track titled "Next Up". The album also featured British rapper Dizzee Rascal on the track "Two Types of Bitches",〔 following UGK's guest appearance in Rascal's own album ''Maths + English'' for the track "Where's Da G's". The album featured production by DJ Paul & Juicy J, Jazze Pha, Swizz Beatz, The Runners, Lil Jon, fellow Texas legend Scarface, and Pimp C.〔Cohen, Jonathan. (UGK Dropping Double Album In December ) ''Billboard'': October 25, 2006〕 DJ Paul and Juicy J produced the second single, "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)". They had used a similar beat on Project Pat's album titled ''Layin' Da Smack Down'' in 2002. The album got a positive reception, both commercially and critically. It received a 4-star rating from Allmusic, and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts. "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)" became the group's only single to chart on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 pop charts, where it peaked at #70. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「UGK」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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