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.
PA Nigga
UGK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man, I been feelin' caged in
They try to stop us shackled us and dropped us
Tacklers, sackers, no propers, just smack us
Floppers, pro-tractors, ho-hoppers attack us
Broke crackers, no actors just coppers with choppers
With random and ?ricos? With cameras and peep holes
Can't stand us, we chose the scandalous, who planned this your people?
Touch that to bank rolls and c-notes to stank hoes and beagles
Drunk folks, clay folks, gay folks now we go to peep holes
Moving stars required, (?) nevermind my appearance
Leave your insurance for your clearance
Bitch, I roll for gun for endurance not a gimmick, nigga this ain't "Mommy Dearest"
A lot a said and clearing the closest and the freshest
This is that underground shit from Port Arson, Texas
[Chorus: Bun B]
I'm a PA nigga, trill ass nigga, how the fuck you figure you can buck me down nigga
I don't fuck around nigga I'm from the underground nigga
Keep a bad yellow bitch that can fuck me down nigga
I'm a PA nigga, trill ass nigga, how the fuck you figure you can buck me down nigga
I don't fuck around nigga I'm from the underground nigga
Keep mack up in my shit for my fucking pound nigga what?
[Verse Two: Pimp C]
I'm a big body flipper, syrup sipper
I keep two bitches so they call me Jack Tripper
Three years coming it, four as a rider
Only room for one dick bitch when I'm knocking you down
Got that dope by the pound, red jag on the ground
You can hear when I'm comin because I'm bangin' surround
And I'm getting my paper, so bitch fuck what you heard
My niggas ready to hit it they just wait for the word
Sell pipes and birds, water and herb, but not on the corner because my ho self-serve
When I'm ridin' the city, my car might swerve
My vision be blurred but I don't hit the curb
I got rich in the ghetto with my microphone
Everything I ride on wood and chrome
Ever since "Big Pimpin" I've been seeing the clones
Now everybody on they videos doing a sweet Jones
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Bun B]
We runnin' through this rap game in break-neck speed, break-neck speed
Blocks like begs please your lex keys
Your checks freeze, your bank account shut down over seas
And both of these and toke of these while blowin' trees with cloves of G's
Move over please, make room for elbows we sell folks we sell those
Felons in jail clothes, it get sticky like Velcro, gently rub her semen
Women get tied up in scotch tape, now watch fate take it up a notch
Wait, a hot date? baddies boppin under the sun, get blunted with Bun
This summer we shun all inhibitions
No wonder we gunnin, now watch a stunner become a livin' landmark
Hands spark like (?) leave your plans dark
Mercury, glistening fuck who dissing it
Diss me, can't miss me just can't relate bitch, this my history date
No driven for this we wait, to determine 'till eternally burning
Quote my destiny, child you're learning it?
[Chorus]
In the song PA Nigga, Bun B and Pimp C of UGK reflect on their experiences as underground rappers, having to fight for recognition in the face of oppression and racism. The song opens with Bun B expressing the feeling of being trapped, describing how they have been shackled and subjugated. He uses vivid imagery to describe the different ways in which they have been mistreated, from being tackled and sacked to being surveilled by police officers. Throughout the song, the two rappers highlight the challenges they faced on their journey to becoming successful musicians, from being marginalized by society to dealing with industry clones who copy their style.
In the chorus, Bun B proclaims that he is a "PA Nigga," a term used to describe someone from Port Arthur, Texas, where UGK originated. This phrase takes on a deeper meaning in the context of the song, as Bun B uses it to assert his identity and pride in where he comes from. The chorus also references the importance of loyalty, both to one's community and to oneself. The verses that follow reinforce this message, with Pimp C asserting himself as a "big body flipper" who is unapologetic about his success, and Bun B describing their relentless pursuit of their dreams.
Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on the ways in which institutionalized racism and oppression can make it difficult for marginalized communities to succeed. The lyrics show how UGK overcame these barriers by embracing their identity and persevering despite the odds. The song is a testament to their resilience, and it continues to inspire fans today with its message of self-determination and pride in one's roots.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, I been feelin' caged in
I've been feeling trapped and restrained
They try to stop us shackled us and dropped us
They try to stop us by chaining and imprisoning us
Tacklers, sackers, no propers, just smack us
People attack and assault us without any cause or justification
Floppers, pro-tractors, ho-hoppers attack us
Even the people who are supposed to support us are turning against us
Broke crackers, no actors just coppers with choppers
There are poor police officers with weapons ready to use them against us
With random and ?ricos? With cameras and peep holes
There are surveillance cameras and people spying on us everywhere we go
Can't stand us, we chose the scandalous, who planned this your people?
People can't tolerate us because we choose to live differently, who is behind this discrimination?
Fuck that you hero bucked at by weavels, and muskrats to seagulls
I don't care about so-called heroes who are attacked by even the smallest and weakest creatures
Touch that to bank rolls and c-notes to stank hoes and beagles
We deal with money, drugs, and women, but also with bad situations and dangerous people
Drunk folks, clay folks, gay folks now we go to peep holes
We welcome all types of people, even those who are marginalized or misunderstood, and we keep our eyes open for danger
Moving stars required, (?) nevermind my appearance
We need to work hard and stand out to succeed, regardless of our appearance or behavior
Leave your insurance for your clearance
Get yourself insured in case something bad happens to you
Bitch, I roll for gun for endurance not a gimmick, nigga this ain't "Mommy Dearest"
I carry a gun for protection and survival, not for show or attention
A lot a said and clearing the closest and the freshest
I speak the truth and always stay honest with those closest to me
This is that underground shit from Port Arson, Texas
This is authentic and raw music from an underground scene in Texas
I'm a big body flipper, syrup sipper
I drive a big car and enjoy drinking syrup (codeine)
I keep two bitches so they call me Jack Tripper
I have two girlfriends and some people might know me as the character Jack Tripper from the TV show Three's Company
Three years coming it, four as a rider
I've been in the rap game for three years and in the streets for four
Only room for one dick bitch when I'm knocking you down
I don't share my women and I only focus on one at a time
Got that dope by the pound, red jag on the ground
I sell drugs in large quantities and I drive a red Jaguar
You can hear when I'm comin because I'm bangin' surround
You can hear me coming because my music is loud and powerful
And I'm getting my paper, so bitch fuck what you heard
I'm making money, so I don't care what anyone says about me
My niggas ready to hit it they just wait for the word
My friends are loyal and always ready to act when I need them
Sell pipes and birds, water and herb, but not on the corner because my ho self-serve
I sell crack pipes and drugs, but I'm not on the street corner because my prostitute girlfriend handles the sales
When I'm ridin' the city, my car might swerve
When I drive in the city, I might swerve because I'm under the influence or reckless
My vision be blurred but I don't hit the curb
I might not see things clearly, but I never crash or hit anything
I got rich in the ghetto with my microphone
I made a lot of money by rapping about and representing the ghetto
Everything I ride on wood and chrome
Everything I own, like my cars or jewelry, is expensive and stylish
Ever since "Big Pimpin" I've been seeing the clones
Since I appeared on the song "Big Pimpin", I've noticed many imitators and copycats
Now everybody on they videos doing a sweet Jones
Now everyone is trying to act like me or make videos similar to mine; referring to the character Sweet Jones (Pimp C's alter ego)
We runnin' through this rap game in break-neck speed, break-neck speed
We are moving fast and aggressively through the rap scene
Blocks like begs please your lex keys
We control the neighborhoods and even your fancy cars can't save you
Your checks freeze, your bank account shut down over seas
We have the power to freeze your money and cut your access to your bank account even overseas
And both of these and toke of these while blowin' trees with cloves of G's
We smoke marijuana and cigars, while also dealing with large amounts of money
Move over please, make room for elbows we sell folks we sell those
Get out of our way and give us space to do our business, we sell drugs and people
Felons in jail clothes, it get sticky like Velcro, gently rub her semen
We are familiar with prison life and things can get complicated and dangerous; we also use innuendos and crude language
Women get tied up in scotch tape, now watch fate take it up a notch
We take control of women and situations, and things can quickly escalate
Wait, a hot date? baddies boppin under the sun, get blunted with Bun
Did you say you have a beautiful girl? Come hang out with me and get high
This summer we shun all inhibitions
This summer we reject all restrictions and let loose
No wonder we gunnin, now watch a stunner become a livin' landmark
No wonder we are armed and dangerous, watch someone remarkable become a symbol of our lifestyle
Hands spark like (?) leave your plans dark
We are always ready to fight and cause trouble, and we don't care about your goals
Mercury, glistening fuck who dissing it
Our cars or other things might sparkle like the planet Mercury, and we don't care about haters or critics
Diss me, can't miss me just can't relate bitch, this my history date
You can insult me, but you can't ignore me or understand my struggles, this is my life and my legacy
No driven for this we wait, to determine 'till eternally burning
We are not driven by anything specific, we are waiting for something to happen and we will keep burning forever
Quote my destiny, child you're learning it?
Do you understand and appreciate my fate or legacy, or are you just trying to copy me?
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.