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.
Shattered Dreams
UGK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Muthafuckas told me I wasn't gon' be shit
Told me I was gon' be able to do this rap shit
Knahmtalkinbout? My own family talked down on me, knahmsayin?
You can't let no bitch shatter yo' dreams
It might not be all bad as it first seems
You might not have all the things you need, yeah
I got to get my money, yeah
I got to get my money, yeah
You got to get yo' money, yeah
I got to get my money, yeah
Man, I refuse to let these bitches take away my pride
Them hoes can lock my body up but they can't lock my mind
See I'm a young street flame, I got them fire eyes
I mean that Eyes of Fire, the Tiger, the Black Pride
I call some women bitches and I call some women whores
A bitch a dirty boar, a hoe open up the pussy store
Now what's the difference between the two? Man, I just told you that
But that don't mean that every woman I know is down with that
If you a bitch and wanna switch, it ain't too late to change
It's all about how you carry yo'self and how you handle thangs
Some say that hoes and pimps is born, I don't believe that shit
'Cause anytime you wanna stop, it ain't too late to quit
Just 'cause you sold your body don't mean you a hoe for life
I got to speak it right for all the ones that paid the price
But if ya in it to win it, go head and live the life
But baby, if you ain't in it, you still can do it right
You can't let no bitch shatter yo' dreams
It might not be all bad as it first seems
You might not have all the things you need, yeah
But all you got to do is believe
I got to get my money, yeah
I got to get my money, oh ho
You got to get yo' money, yeah
I got to get my money
To all the babies havin' babies on ya' own
I know you feelin' fucked up and feelin' all alone
I know ya people tellin' you, "Ya fucked up your life"
Ya only fucked up if you lay down and don't continue to fight
And to the young nigga out there tryna sell dope
I know your family fucked up and it's your last rope
In your heart, I know ya cold with this rhyme shit
But ain't nuttin' hap'nin' but this 20?s and this dime shit
And you the daddy with lil' mama that's 'bout to have the baby
You wanna own ya team but niggaz tellin' you ya crazy
What you thankin'? You too young to have a family
But all the moves ya makin', look like you a man to me
When you get caught up, man, them niggaz ain't gon' ride witchu
But get down with that girl and she gon' keep it live witchu
But she gon' help ya put your money up and save somethin'
'Cause right now ya run it, th'ew it back and you ain't made nuttin'
It's time to change sumthin'
You can't let no bitch shatter yo' dreams
It might not be all bad as it first seems
You might not have all the things you need, yeah
But all you got to do is believe
I got to get my money, yeah
I got to get my money, oh oh
You got to get yo' money, yeah
I got to get my money
If you a ballplayer, man, go 'head and play ball
Don't let nobody steal your dream if you ain't came to fall
I know they say, "It ain't enough room in the NBA"
You tell them haters save that bullshit for another day
If you a sanger, lil' mama, go 'head and sang ya song
Them hoes say, "You ain't gon' make it", the funky bitch is wrong
You ain't got to get butt-naked on stage in a thong
Just sang your records to show the people you got it goin' on
I see a whole lotta motherfuckers come and go
I know young niggas sold they soul for the dirty dough
They want a rapper, I understand, go 'head and chase ya dream
But chase to hog it up, the lawyer end up like a fiend
Some people gay, what can I say? The only judge is God
But don't be shame and try to hide 'cause then you livin' fraud
'Cause everythang done in the dark, gon' come to the light
So do yo' thang, 'cause can't no man tell you what's wrong or right
Right, right, right, right
So do yo' thang, 'cause can't no man tell you what's wrong or right
The song "Shattered Dreams" by UGK featuring Sleepy Brown is a motivational song for those who have been underestimated or told they wouldn't make it. The opening statements talk about people who think the dreamers would never amount to anything. Even the family of the dreamers talked down upon them. But the song tells the listeners that they should not let anyone shatter their dreams. The dreamers might not have everything they need, but they have to keep believing.
Pimp C, the deceased member of UGK, addresses the issue of calling women bitches and whores in the song. He explains that there is a difference between the two but not every woman is down with that. He encourages women to change their ways if they sell their bodies and want to do something different. He says that if they are in it to win it, go ahead and live the life, but if not, they can do it right. The chorus repeats that dreamers have to get their money and not let anyone shatter their dreams.
The song also addresses young people who become parents, sell drugs, or want to play professional sports or make music. They should not give up on their dreams just because others tell them they won't make it. They have to continue fighting, chasing their dreams, and working hard to get their money. The song encourages everyone to do their thing and not let anyone tell them what is wrong or right.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhh, dedicated to all the underdogs, knahmtalkinbout?
This song is for all the people who have been underestimated and undervalued.
Muthafuckas told me I wasn't gon' be shit
Some people told me that I would not be successful.
Told me I was gon' be able to do this rap shit
Knahmtalkinbout?
They didn't think I could make it as a rapper.
My own family talked down on me, knahmsayin?
Even my own family doubted me.
You can't let no bitch shatter yo' dreams
Don't let anyone, especially a woman, destroy your goals and aspirations.
It might not be all bad as it first seems
Things may not be as terrible as they appear at first glance.
You might not have all the things you need, yeah
You may not have everything necessary for success yet.
But all you got to do is believe
All you need to do is have faith in yourself and your abilities.
I got to get my money, yeah
I need to make money.
You got to get yo' money, yeah
You need to make money too.
Man, I refuse to let these bitches take away my pride
I won't allow women to diminish my self-respect.
Them hoes can lock my body up but they can't lock my mind
Women can imprison my body, but not my thoughts.
See I'm a young street flame, I got them fire eyes
I am a youthful, passionate person with a burning intensity.
I call some women bitches and I call some women whores
I refer to some women as derogatory terms.
A bitch a dirty boar, a hoe open up the pussy store
I use 'bitch' to mean an unpleasant or immoral woman and 'hoe' to imply that a woman is overly promiscuous.
Now what's the difference between the two? Man, I just told you that
I just explained the distinction between the two terms.
But that don't mean that every woman I know is down with that
Not every woman I know agrees with my language and attitudes.
If you a bitch and wanna switch, it ain't too late to change
If you fit the definition of a 'bitch' and want to change your attitude, it's never too late to do so.
It's all about how you carry yo'self and how you handle thangs
It's all about your demeanor and how you behave in life.
Some say that hoes and pimps is born, I don't believe that shit
Some people think that some women are just 'hoes' and some men are just 'pimps,' but I disagree.
'Cause anytime you wanna stop, it ain't too late to quit
You can stop a negative behavior at any time.
Just 'cause you sold your body don't mean you a hoe for life
Engaging in prostitution doesn't necessarily mean that you are a 'hoe' forever.
I got to speak it right for all the ones that paid the price
I need to communicate this message appropriately for those who have suffered because of societal attitudes toward prostitution.
But if ya in it to win it, go head and live the life
If you want to continue being a prostitute, go ahead and do it.
But baby, if you ain't in it, you still can do it right
If you don't want to be a prostitute, you can still do well in life.
To all the babies havin' babies on ya' own
This line is addressed to young mothers who are raising children without a partner.
I know you feelin' fucked up and feelin' all alone
I understand that you're struggling and may feel isolated.
I know ya people tellin' you, "Ya fucked up your life"
I know that some people may have criticized your decisions.
Ya only fucked up if you lay down and don't continue to fight
The only way you've truly failed is if you give up.
And to the young nigga out there tryna sell dope
This line is directed toward a young person selling drugs on the street.
I know your family fucked up and it's your last rope
I understand that your family may be struggling and you may feel like you have no other option.
In your heart, I know ya cold with this rhyme shit
In your heart, you really want to pursue a different career path.
But ain't nuttin' hap'nin' but this 20?s and this dime shit
Right now, the only way you see to make money is by selling drugs.
And you the daddy with lil' mama that's 'bout to have the baby
You're a father-to-be with a pregnant partner.
You wanna own ya team but niggaz tellin' you ya crazy
You want to be your own boss, but others criticize your ambitions.
What you thankin'? You too young to have a family
People may tell you that you're too young to start a family.
But all the moves ya makin', look like you a man to me
But based on your decisions and actions, you seem like a mature and responsible person to me.
When you get caught up, man, them niggaz ain't gon' ride witchu
If you get in legal trouble, your drug-selling friends won't stand by you.
But get down with that girl and she gon' keep it live witchu
But if you commit to your partner, she will support you.
But she gon' help ya put your money up and save somethin'
She will help you save money.
'Cause right now ya run it, th'ew it back and you ain't made nuttin'
Right now, you're spending everything you earn and not putting any money aside.
It's time to change sumthin'
It's time to make a change.
If you a ballplayer, man, go 'head and play ball
If you're a talented basketball player, keep pursuing that dream.
Don't let nobody steal your dream if you ain't came to fall
Don't let anyone discourage you from your aspirations.
I know they say, "It ain't enough room in the NBA"
Some people might tell you that there is no space for you in professional basketball.
You tell them haters save that bullshit for another day
Tell those people to keep their negative comments to themselves.
If you a sanger, lil' mama, go 'head and sang ya song
If you're a singer, keep performing and sharing your voice.
Them hoes say, "You ain't gon' make it", the funky bitch is wrong
Some people may tell you that you won't find success, but don't listen to them.
You ain't got to get butt-naked on stage in a thong
You don't have to strip or do anything compromising for success.
Just sang your records to show the people you got it goin' on
Just showcase your talent through your performances.
I see a whole lotta motherfuckers come and go
I've seen many people succeed and fail in the music industry.
I know young niggas sold they soul for the dirty dough
I am aware that some young people have allowed their moral principles to slide in order to make money.
They want a rapper, I understand, go 'head and chase ya dream
They may desire fame, and that's understandable, so they should pursue that goal.
But chase to hog it up, the lawyer end up like a fiend
Just don't get too greedy and fall into addiction like many lawyers have.
Some people gay, what can I say? The only judge is God
Some people are homosexual, and only God can pass judgment on them.
But don't be shame and try to hide 'cause then you livin' fraud
But don't be embarrassed and pretend to be someone you're not; that's being inauthentic.
'Cause everythang done in the dark, gon' come to the light
Any hidden or secret behavior will eventually be exposed.
So do yo' thang, 'cause can't no man tell you what's wrong or right
Do what feels right to you, as no one else can instruct you on what is wrong or right for your life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RAY PARKER JR DBA RAYDIOLA MUSIC
Written by: BERNARD JAMES FREEMAN, CHAD L. BUTLER, RAY ERSKINE JR. PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind