UGK, from Port Arthur, TX, the neighboring city to Beaumont, TX, released their debut EP The Southern Way in 1992. It was distributed by local record label Bigtyme Recordz and only available as an audio cassette. They quickly caught the attention of Jive Records, and were signed to a five album record contract. Their major label debut album Too Hard to Swallow was released later that same year, on November 10. While it featured several new recordings, it also featured several songs that had been culled from The Southern Way. 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 Too Hard to Swallow’s release, on an EP distributed by Bigtyme Recordz; appropriately enough, the EP was titled Banned.
Their sophomore album Super Tight… was released two years later, on August 30. Unlike their previous effort, it managed to break into the Billboard Hot 200, but ultimately peaked at a disappointing #95. Two more years passed before the release of their third album, Ridin’ Dirty. It performed better than either of its predecessors, and almost broke into the Hot 200’s top-ten, before stopping short at #15. Ridin’ Dirty would also be UGK’s last album for the time being, as they went on a five year hiatus not long afterward.
In the interim, UGK made a high-profile guest appearance on Jay-Z’s 2000 smash hit “Big Pimpin” and also appeared on Three 6 Mafia’s hit “Sippin’ on Some Sizzurp” later the very same year. Both of these collaborations greatly increased their reputation, and helped fuel anticipation for their next project. Unfortunately, Jive failed to capitalize on this new-found interest in the duo, as their sixth album, 2001’s Dirty Money, came and went with little or no fanfare.
Further problems arose in 2002, when Pimp C was incarcerated for an aggravated gun assault charge on January 28. 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. During this period, Jive released a Best of UGK album, as well as a Chopped & Screwed remix album.
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. It was quickly certified gold by the RIAA.
On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and was scheduled to be on parole until December 2009. He released his first post-incarceration album, titled Pimpalation, on July 25, 2006.
UGK released Underground Kingz, their 7th studio album in August 2007. The two-disc, 26-track album hit #1 on the Billboard charts after selling 157,000 copies in its first week, strongly supported by the hit single Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You). The single featured OutKast, and used a beat created by Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Juicy J, which was originally used in a song by Project Pat.
On December 4th, 2007, Pimp C was found dead at age 33 in his room at Hollywood’s La Mondrian hotel in Los Angeles, California, where he had been playing shows with Too $hort. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office Pimp C died from accidental overdose of Promethazine/Codeine “syrup” combined with a preexisting medical condition known as sleep apnea, which causes a person to stop breathing during sleep. He was buried on December 11th, 2007 in his hometown of Port Arthur, TX.
3 in the Mornin'
UGK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's going down, leaning, drink your drink
Candy sweets, you know what I'm sayin'
Third coast, nigga, UGK 'bout to wreck shop
This c-note off dead body
Smokin' and leanin' nigga,
Stackin' paper foo, you know what I'm talkin'?
These motherfuckers ask, is it the bark or the bite?
It's both, chilling on streets you scared to park on at night
Just forfeit, just like I'm becoming part of the light
And you, man, you going to be the biggest mark at the fight
See, I never understood what made you think you was handling
You half-ass running through my neighborhood vandling
Next time, I'm a light your world up like a cannon
Get some Italians to play your ass like a mandolin
These cocaine wars got my mind in a frenzy
The feds tried to confiscate my 'Lac and my Benzy
Colombian assassins hunt a nigga like Lindsey
And one of my workers came up short with my ends, see
Shit, running the streets used to be complicated
But now it's all either drug or strong-arm-related
But never can a bomb be faded, fool
Ring the alarm, pour the Dom
I'm coming down real shiny like candy paint
'Bout three in the morning, yawning
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
I got five on the weed, fifty on the drink
Fool, I'm coming down, fuck what these hoes think
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
Three in the morning, just turned over
Pimped into my clothes
Gots to get around, some hustlers moving in the Chevy Nova
Done flagged me down for some more of that brown
To go with that green, now they sitting on lean
Now the light is green, got to get the snaps
So I bails from the scene, the watch was still packed
With dealers and fiends freaking for Gs and greens
See, it's the same every night
Niggas creeping down G way and keeping they head tight
Watching for laws because you know they wanna hate
Jealous 'cause a nigga getting ahead of this paper chase
Can't place my fate in these streets
But some niggas hustle just to eat
Niggas jacking, they packing, they playing for keeps
No peace of mind, keeping my heat behind
My seat, 'cause see, I'm not the one to be caught sleeping
By another fool out creeping
While I'm chilling getting sweeted
I'm coming down real shiny like candy paint
'Bout three in the morning, yawning
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
I got five on the weed, fifty on the drink
Fool, I'm coming down, fuck what these hoes think
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
What you see, is what the fuck you get
Young Pimp C, baby, coming down real wet
I got a pump in the 'Lac 'cause these niggas tried to jack us
But we don't give a fuck, I got the AK in the back of
I came out the night club, three o'clock struck
Trying to holler at my people, she in Lexus, I'm in truck
We 'bout to eat breakfast, we in Houston, Texas
The city of the crack, and the 'Lacs, and the big trucks
Say man I'm hollering at Bonnie, Courtney came with the love
We coming down, mane, blowing cuz in his lungs
'Cause I'mma candy sweet dipper, a big 'caine pimper
I'm playing with the clit-ah, I'm squeezing on the nipples
Even though this ho look good and the pussy is tight
After I hit, jump in my shit, I'm scratching off in the night
Fuck that laying in the bed with them ho 'til the morning
Bitch, I'm getting out here yawning, coming back to reforming
Three in the morning
Three in the morning
I'm coming down real shiny like candy paint
'Bout three in the morning, yawning
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
I got five on the weed, fifty on the drink
Fool, I'm coming down, fuck what these hoes think
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
The lyrics to UGK's song 3 in the Mornin' captures the late-night hustle and hard-knock life in the streets of the Third Coast, Houston. The opening lines of the song start with a realization that it's already three in the morning, which throws light on the nocturnal lifestyle of the rapper. It's a time of the day when the city is asleep, and the human soul awakens to desires and emotions. The singer leans and drinks, consuming "Candy Sweets," a code for purple drank, a concoction of codeine-promethazine cough syrup, soda, and candy. UGK is about to wreck the shop and stack paper while smoking and leaning, a euphemism for drug dealing.
The second verse of the song focuses on the adventures and dangers of life on the street. The singer claims to be larger than life and is not hesitant to bark or bite when threatened. He is acutely aware that the streets are dangerous, but he is the one to be feared, not the streets. He warns others not to underestimate him, as they could end up becoming the "biggest mark at the fight." He views the cocaine war as a frenzy and describes the Colombian assassins who hunt him. He advises others not to enter his "hood" and "vandling" there, suggesting that trouble inevitably follows. Running the streets may have been complicated earlier, but with the advent of drugs and the availability of guns, it's all drug or strong-arm operation these days. Finally, the singer exhorts other hustlers to ring the alarm and pour the Dom, reveling in the dangerous aspects of their profession.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn, already three in the morning, huh?
It's late at night and time is passing quickly.
It's going down, leaning, drink your drink
We're drinking and partying, having a good time.
Candy sweets, you know what I’m sayin’
We're living the high life and enjoying all the luxuries.
Third coast, nigga, UGK 'bout to wreck shop
We represent the Gulf Coast and we're ready to show everyone what we're made of.
This c-note off dead body
We made money off of selling drugs or from some other illegal activity.
Smokin' and leanin' nigga,
We're smoking weed and drinking lean, relaxing and enjoying life.
Stackin' paper foo, you know what I'm talkin'?
We're making a lot of money and living comfortably.
Man, I'm larger than life
I'm living like a king and nothing can stop me.
These motherfuckers ask, is it the bark or the bite?
People are wondering if I'm all talk or if I really have the power to back it up.
It's both, chilling on streets you scared to park on at night
I have both the talk and the power, I'm so intimidating that people are scared to come near me or my territory.
Just forfeit, just like I'm becoming part of the light
I'm on my way to becoming a legend, so just give up if you think you can challenge me.
And you, man, you going to be the biggest mark at the fight
If you choose to fight me, you'll be the biggest loser and everyone will know it.
See, I never understood what made you think you was handling
I can't understand why you thought you could take me on and win.
You half-ass running through my neighborhood vandling
You're just a small-time criminal trying to act tough in my territory.
Next time, I'm a light your world up like a cannon
If you try to step to me again, I'll come at you with full force and destroy you.
Get some Italians to play your ass like a mandolin
I'll get some Italian mobsters to take care of you and make you regret ever challenging me.
These cocaine wars got my mind in a frenzy
I'm involved in a dangerous drug trade and it's starting to affect my mental state.
The feds tried to confiscate my 'Lac and my Benzy
The police are after me and trying to take everything I own.
Colombian assassins hunt a nigga like Lindsey
I have enemies who want me dead and they're coming after me full force, like Colombian hitmen.
And one of my workers came up short with my ends, see
One of my employees stole money from me and I'm not happy about it.
Shit, running the streets used to be complicated
Living a life of crime used to be difficult and require a lot of effort.
But now it's all either drug or strong-arm-related
The world of crime has changed and it's all about drugs or using force to get what you want.
But never can a bomb be faded, fool
I'm not someone to be underestimated, I'm a force to be reckoned with.
Ring the alarm, pour the Dom
We're partying and having a good time, let's celebrate.
I'm coming down real shiny like candy paint
I'm riding in a fancy, flashy car and everything about me screams wealth and luxury.
'Bout three in the morning, yawning
Despite having a good time, it's starting to get late and I'm getting tired.
I wish I could come down, but you know I can't
I know I need to slow down and take a break, but I can't help myself.
'Cause I'm leaning off the dank and the good ol' drink
I'm high and drunk and everything feels great right now.
I got five on the weed, fifty on the drink
I'm willing to spend a lot of money to keep this party going.
Fool, I'm coming down, fuck what these hoes think
I'm not worried about women or what they think of me, I'm just living my life.
Just turned over, pimped into my clothes
I just woke up and I'm already dressed like a pimp, ready to take on the day.
Gots to get around, some hustlers moving in the Chevy Nova
I need to go out and make some money and there are some other criminals in town doing the same thing.
Done flagged me down for some more of that brown
Someone stopped me to buy drugs from me.
To go with that green, now they sitting on lean
They bought some drugs from me and are now high and relaxed.
Now the light is green, got to get the snaps
The traffic light turned green, so I need to be on my way to make more money.
So I bails from the scene, the watch was still packed
I left quickly so as not to be caught by the police and I still have all my money.
With dealers and fiends freaking for Gs and greens
There are a lot of people out here looking for drugs and willing to pay a lot of money for them.
See, it's the same every night
My life is constantly filled with the same dangerous situations and people every night.
Niggas creeping down G way and keeping they head tight
Other criminals are moving through my territory cautiously so as not to get caught by me or the police.
Watching for laws because you know they wanna hate
Everyone is trying to avoid getting caught by the police, who are out to get us.
Jealous 'cause a nigga getting ahead of this paper chase
People are jealous of my success and wealth, which I've gained through illegal means.
Can't place my fate in these streets
I know that my life of crime won't end well, but I can't help myself from continuing down this path.
But some niggas hustle just to eat
Some people have no other option but to turn to crime in order to survive and provide for themselves.
Niggas jacking, they packing, they playing for keeps
People are out here stealing and carrying weapons, willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.
No peace of mind, keeping my heat behind
I can never let my guard down and always need to be ready to defend myself with my weapon.
My seat, 'cause see, I'm not the one to be caught sleeping
I always need to be alert and ready to fight off anyone who tries to attack me.
By another fool out creeping
I won't let another criminal take me by surprise and catch me off guard.
While I'm chilling getting sweeted
Despite the danger and risk of my lifestyle, I still find time to relax and have a good time.
What you see, is what the fuck you get
I'm not going to put on airs or pretend to be someone I'm not, what you see is what you get with me.
Young Pimp C, baby, coming down real wet
I'm a young and successful criminal, known for my luxury and wealth.
I got a pump in the 'Lac 'cause these niggas tried to jack us
I have a gun in the car because someone tried to steal from me or attack me.
But we don't give a fuck, I got the AK in the back of
We won't back down or let anyone take advantage of us, we have powerful weapons to protect ourselves.
I came out the night club, three o'clock struck
I just left a club at 3 in the morning.
Trying to holler at my people, she in Lexus, I'm in truck
I'm trying to get in touch with someone who is driving a luxury car, while I'm in a more practical vehicle.
We 'bout to eat breakfast, we in Houston, Texas
We're in Texas and about to go get breakfast together.
The city of the crack, and the 'Lacs, and the big trucks
Houston is known for its drug trade and luxury cars and trucks.
Say man I'm hollering at Bonnie, Courtney came with the love
I'm talking to my friends Bonnie and Courtney, who are showing me love and support.
We coming down, mane, blowing cuz in his lungs
We're relaxing and smoking weed together.
'Cause I'mma candy sweet dipper, a big 'caine pimper
I'm living a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle, fueled by drug money.
I'm playing with the clit-ah, I'm squeezing on the nipples
I'm good with women and can please them sexually.
Even though this ho look good and the pussy is tight
Despite being with an attractive and sexually desirable woman, I'm not emotionally attached to her.
After I hit, jump in my shit, I'm scratching off in the night
After having sex, I'll quickly leave and go about my business, not looking back.
Fuck that laying in the bed with them ho 'til the morning
I'm not interested in spending time with a woman after having sex, I'd rather be out making money.
Bitch, I'm getting out here yawning, coming back to reforming
I'm tired, but I know I need to get back to work and continue my life of crime.
Three in the morning
It's the middle of the night and things are still happening, the criminal world never sleeps.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD L. BUTLER, BERNARD JAMES FREEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind