It all started with the beat from N.O. Joe. Joe was a pioneer of the Southern Hip Hop sound in the 90’s and he worked with everybody from the Geto Boys to Devin to The Luniz and even on over to AZ. But when I think of N.O. Joe I think of one album. It’s the UGK album Ridin’ Dirty which dropped on Jive Records back in 1996. Pimp C was also involved on the production side of that album too so I can’t leave my man Pimp out of this story. Ridin’ Dirty dropped without any singles or videos but still caught buzz from those in the know. I don’t even know how I got up on UGK. It could have been through Rap Pages or The Source but it might also just been because of the album cover.
Regardless of how I found UGK’s Ridin’ Dirty album in 1996, I purchased it on CD and proceeded to go rip off the packaging of the CD so that I can throw the CD in my 6 disc changer in the back of my 1991 Volkswagon Fox. I had a good deck and speakers so when I drove around I could rattle the car with my windows down and let people know what vibe I was on. I drove out of the parking lot which was about a minute drive. The intro to Ridin’ Dirty was a minute long too so it just worked. Then I hit that corner and song 2 started… I give you “One Day” from the legendary rap group out of Port Arthur, Texas. The one and only, UGK. Keep in mind, this was my first time actually hearing a full UGK song in my car and this is what I heard.
That beat and the singing from Ron Isley from The Isley Brothers??? Those slow drums with Ron’s crooning??? We’re not even a minute in yet and I am slumped in my car not even paying attention to the road. Then Mr. 3-2 comes in with the first verse and man… I felt every word out of his mouth. And 3-2 wasn’t even a part of UGK. Mr. 3-2 was on Rap-A-Lot Records and UGK gave him the leadoff spot on their classic album. “Momma pushed me out, at only 14, so I start selling crack, cocaine, and codeine…” Look… If you don’t know this verse you need to know it. Because right after 3-2 we got Bun B up next. Bun’s style was just so passionate. I always liked the Geto Boys and Bun to me was a lot like Scarface. Good stories and you could hear the pain in their deliveries. Bun has always been one of my favorite emcees. And if you don’t know Bun, you need to go listen to his verse on “Murder” right now. Or better yet, let’s have Tip tell us about it.
Wait… Have I even mentioned the members in UGK yet? I think I might have skipped over that. Well first, the name UGK stands for Underground Kingz. UGK was founded in 1987 and they helped put Southern Hip Hop on the map. They got critical acclaim when they appeared on Jigga’s “Big Pimpin” back in 2000. But UGK has a catalog full of heaters and features all over for you to enjoy. Each artist also has solo albums for you to listen to. UGK is made up of Bun B and Pimp C. Pimp passed away in 2007 at the young age of 33. He died due to his heavy usage of purple drank (aka lean, sizzurp, syrup, etc.) in conjunction with his pre-existing condition of sleep apnea. Pimp’s death crushed the hip hop community. It crushed Bun too.
Now that we’ve given a little background on UGK, Bun, and Pimp, let’s go ahead and get back to the final verse of “One Day” from the Ridin’ Dirty album. Mr. 3-2 and Bun both killed their verses and now it was Pimp C’s turn. His verse starts with, “I’m up early cause ain’t enough light in the daytime” and I was sold. All I needed was that one line from Pimp and this one song from UGK to know I was in. This whole Ridin’ Dirty album was a classic. Listening to it today brings back all those memories from when I was a youngster in ‘96 hittin’ corners in my hooptie and throwin’ dueces out the window as I mobbed the high school parking lot slumped in my car seat bumpin these beats. If you’re reading this, I have a feeling that we’re one in the same. A car ride isn’t just a drive to a destination. With the music playing, you get the chance to create a soundtrack to your life. “One Day” has been bumped a lot lately due to this lockdown we’re in. It teaches me to live every day like it’s my last. Props to UGK, Bun, and N.O. Joe for giving me these timeless classics. And let’s all pour up for our man Pimp in heaven.