Underground Kingz - Ridin' Dirty
With Pimp C out of jail and back with his partner Bun B, who turned their rep into serious national attention while he was away, UGK look set to take back their Southern crown with their double album released next month. If all you know of the duo is Bun B's guest appearances on just about every major Houston record of the past two years, do your homework with Ridin' Dirty, one of the great Southern hip hop records of the 90s. Hardcore to the death, the record is a stripped-down version of west coast gangsta rap, but with the laid-back syrup vibe for which their hometown would become famous. No connection to Chamillionaire, except that the title track is way better/cooler than its follow-up.