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.
Dirty money
UGK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say, look here man I'm a rapper
Hold up, let me take that back
I make rap music, but that don't mean all a nigga do is rap
But that don't matter I've been labeled, stigmatized, stereotyped
There's an entertainment disease worse than cancer, a venereal type
I spit imperial-type game like Digga from the Sqaud
But they act like they can't separate a real nigga from the fraud
And respect the game 'cause the game is known to be gone fast baby
Now It's a long pass maybe you should try diving for it
Fools act like they striving for it hit Total Request Live and blow it
Knowing ain't a giving and nothing is
See all this candy-coated and bluffing is detrimental to our beautiful black southern kids
Enough of this man, let's get this here straight like creases
It's a never-ending cycle and motion that never ceases
It's compresses and releases and for the love of Jesus
It's breaks the soul, now we forever left to pick up the pieces it's dirty money
[Chorus x2: Bun B]
Niggas laughing but ain't a damn thing funny
You gotta have paper in this land of milk and honey
Yeah, it's bright outside but not nessicarily sunny
And no matter how you make it, it's all dirty money baby
[Verse Two: Pimp C]
Every drug I sold was for the dirty money
Most of my niggas is dead because the game is funny
You could get your life took at the drop of the dime
But I'mma pimp till the end and keep my money on mind
Most of my life I've been broke trying to save my bread
I never ask to be hustling now I watch out for feds
'Cause niggas be talking and giving up game
About the cheese, the green, the pills, the coke D's
I marry my pockets, so now I chase my queen
Keep a thang for the haters with the red beam
Every since fifteen I've been a big money fiend
Sippin' cold codeine and pulling up clean
Popping up at the spot and dropping the top
And keep a bad yellow [???] with my dick on rock uh!
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Bun B]
You can't get no house, no car
No weed, no bar, no flash, no show
No class, no flow, no help, no love
No liquor, no drug, no clique, no crew
No tracks to flow to, no pager, no phone
No flavor, no zone, no fiend, no cut
No wife, no slut, no name,
Nowhere in the game to get me five
No nothing without that dirty ass M-O-N-E-Y
[Chorus]
[Verse Four: Pimp C]
My momma taught me what the value of a dollar should be
But everybody I saw balling was rolling selling Ki's
In the late 80's niggas pulling up on D's
Putting dick up in these hoes and making 'em pay fees
Learn how to ride dirty 'cause ain't shit for free
Then all them niggas got popped that's all I needed to see
For some the dope game cool 'cause that's all that they could be
I know God ain't put me down here just to be serving no fiends [x2]
[Chorus]
In UGK’s song “Dirty Money,” Bun B and Pimp C explore the theme of money and how it can corrupt and control people’s lives. The opening lines of the first verse set the tone for the entire song, as Bun B clarifies the common misconception of his entire identity being based on his profession as a rapper. He goes on to explain how the entertainment industry stigmatizes and labels people, and how it is worse than cancer due to the way it can spread and consume people's identities. Despite his high level of talent and authenticity, people cannot seem to separate a “real nigga from the fraud.” The idea of separating realness from fakeness is emphasized throughout the song, and the artists allude to the fact that the game or industry is inherently corrupt and unpredictable.
The chorus repeats and emphasizes that money is not all that it may seem; it is “dirty money” which can be detrimental to people's lives, rather than the key to happiness and success. Pimp C also focuses on the deadly consequences of the drug game and the tragic loss of friends that can come along with it. Despite his awareness of the negative aspects, he couldn't help but pursue and prioritize money over anything else. Additionally, the artists dive into the idea of the American Dream, as they discuss how the pursuit of money in this land of milk and honey can make people lose sight of their own values and morals. In "Dirty Money," UGK brings to attention important issues regarding the corrupt nature of fame and the impact that prioritizing money can have on one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, look here man I'm a rapper
I introduce myself as a rapper
Hold up, let me take that back
I rethink my introduction
I make rap music, but that don't mean all a nigga do is rap
I create rap music, but it doesn't define me wholly
But that don't matter I've been labeled, stigmatized, stereotyped
Though it doesn't matter, I've been judged and profiled
There's an entertainment disease worse than cancer, a venereal type
Entertainment has a dangerous disease, more damaging than cancer
I spit imperial-type game like Digga from the Sqaud
I deliver powerful words like Digga from the Sqaud
But they act like they can't separate a real nigga from the fraud
People fail to distinguish between authentic and fake individuals
Rule number one: never send a boy to fuck a grown ass lady
Firstly, never ask inexperienced young men to handle mature women
And respect the game 'cause the game is known to be gone fast baby
Furthermore, honor the industry because it is notoriously unstable
Now It's a long pass maybe you should try diving for it
Perhaps it's a far-fetched goal, but you should attempt to achieve it
Fools act like they striving for it hit Total Request Live and blow it
Some individuals pretend to pursue success for fame before inevitably losing everything
Knowing ain't a giving and nothing is
Remember knowledge isn't enough, and nothing in life is guaranteed
See all this candy-coated and bluffing is detrimental to our beautiful black southern kids
The facade and deception are detrimental to the youth of the black Southern community
Enough of this man, let's get this here straight like creases
Let's stop this and talk honestly
It's a never-ending cycle and motion that never ceases
Life is a never-ending sequence of events, and it never stops
It's compresses and releases and for the love of Jesus
It's like cyclic changes, and we need to let it go
It's breaks the soul, now we forever left to pick up the pieces it's dirty money
It's despairing, and it costs a lot, both emotionally and financially
Niggas laughing but ain't a damn thing funny
People may laugh, but it's not a lighthearted situation
You gotta have paper in this land of milk and honey
You must have money to thrive in this abundant society
Yeah, it's bright outside but not nessicarily sunny
The environment may seem positive, but that doesn't guarantee happiness
And no matter how you make it, it's all dirty money baby
Be it by fair or foul means, all the money comes at a cost
Every drug I sold was for the dirty money
I peddled narcotics to earn the tainted money
Most of my niggas is dead because the game is funny
Most of my friends perished because the industry is unpredictable
You could get your life took at the drop of the dime
You could die instantly without any warning
But I'mma pimp till the end and keep my money on mind
Nevertheless, I'll keep hustling and prioritize earning money
Most of my life I've been broke trying to save my bread
I've struggled financially, always trying to save money
I never ask to be hustling now I watch out for feds
Initially, I didn't ask for this life, but now, I'm always cautious about being caught by the authorities
'Cause niggas be talking and giving up game
My peers share unfiltered information
About the cheese, the green, the pills, the coke D's
They talk about money, drugs, and questionable products
I marry my pockets, so now I chase my queen
I prioritize my financial gain and chase money
Keep a thang for the haters with the red beam
I always keep a firearm to deal with my rivals
Every since fifteen I've been a big money fiend
I've been passionate about earning big money since I was fifteen
Sippin' cold codeine and pulling up clean
I drink codeine and flaunt luxurious cars
Popping up at the spot and dropping the top
I arrive and depart rapidly in my convertible
And keep a bad yellow [???] with my dick on rock uh!
Lastly, I'm always accompanied by attractive women
You can't get no house, no car
Without money, you can't afford assets like cars and homes
No weed, no bar, no flash, no show
You can't enjoy recreational activities or wear expensive clothes, food, and drinks
No class, no flow, no help, no love
You can't obtain education, artistic skills, aid, and affection
No liquor, no drug, no clique, no crew
You can't purchase alcohol, narcotics, or form a group of friends
No tracks to flow to, no pager, no phone
You can't use recording studios or mobile communication devices
No flavor, no zone, no fiend, no cut
You can't taste good food, visit new places, find addiction, or make a profit
No wife, no slut, no name,
You can't have a committed relationship, casual sex, or be recognised for your work
Nowhere in the game to get me five
You can't achieve any measurable success in this industry
No nothing without that dirty ass M-O-N-E-Y
You can't have anything without earning tainted money
My momma taught me what the value of a dollar should be
My mother taught me the actual financial worth of money
But everybody I saw balling was rolling selling Ki's
However, I noticed that prosperous people even sold narcotics
In the late 80's niggas pulling up on D's
Back in the late 1980s, people often drove luxury vehicles acquired through drug dealing
Putting dick up in these hoes and making 'em pay fees
They also exploited women for their services and charged money for it
Learn how to ride dirty 'cause ain't shit for free
I learned to transport contraband discreetly because it's not easy to earn money legally
Then all them niggas got popped that's all I needed to see
I realised this life leads to getting caught by the authorities
For some the dope game cool 'cause that's all that they could be
Some people embrace this illegal industry because they can't do anything else
I know God ain't put me down here just to be serving no fiends
I don't believe that God meant me to serve drug addicts
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.