Before we start this post, shout out to Bun B for his recent act of heroism. Much respect! And rest in peace to Pimp C. 

UGK made their national debut in November of 1992 with their Jive Records debut album, Too Hard To Swallow. The album wasn’t a commercial success, but it did gain the Port Arthur, Texas based duo respect and a cult like following (read my thoughts on their debut here). In 1994 they would follow Too Hard To Swallow (bars!) with their sophomore effort, Super Tight.

Much like Too Hard To Swallow, Pimp C would handle the bulk of the production load for Super Tight. Super Tight was not a commercial success either, but it did earn the duo more fans as they continued to build on their upward momentum out of the underground.

I found a cd copy of Super Tight a few years ago at one of the used music stores I scavenger hunt at. This is my first time listening to it, so let’s see if it lives up to its name.

Return – The first joint of the evening is rolled up in some southern fried organ chords, as Pimp C and Bun B, each spit a verse talkin’ their “Trill” shit.

Underground – This one begins with a somber yet beautiful piano solo before Pimp C’s country instrumental drops and takes over. You’re not going to get much more lyrically than gangsta babble and “trill” talk from the duo, but they sound respectable over this fire backdrop.

It’s Supposed To Bubble – Bun and Pimp are poppin’ bottles and celebrating life on this one. Pimp C taps one of my favorite hip-hop loops (Pleasure’s “Thoughts Of Old Flames”) for the backdrop and David Tornkanowsky adds some piano chords to bring out its beauty even more.

I Left It Wet For You – Pimp and Bun’s first verses would lead you to believe that this song is all about your girl’s pussy (awe…what gentlemen). But their second verses stray way off that path, as Pimp is thinking about suicide while Bun’s got homicide on his mind. The duo’s rhymes are pretty nonsensical, but Pimp’s energetic backdrop is dope.

Feds In Town – Bun B goes dolo on this one, and the Feds are putting the pressure on him for his street pharmaceutical business. Pimp C provides the hook and a tasty backdrop dripping with soul, which serves as the perfect accomplish for Bun’s bars.

Pocket Full Of Stones Pt 2 – Pimp and Bun pick up where they left off at on part one: bragging about selling crack. I liked the instrumental on the O.G. version of part one (and I hated the backdrop for the remix of part one from the Menace II Society Soundtrack), but the beat on part two goes extra hard!

Front, Back & Side To Side – UGK and guest rapper, Smoke-D (who drops the funniest line of the song when he threatens to “throw a party on your girl’s pussy”) use this one to floss in their fly rides all through the streets of Port Author. David T takes us to church with scorching organ chords that accompany Pimp C’s country fried instrumental. This shit is funky, and remember: “never let hoe ass niggas riiiiide”.

Protect And Serve – Bun and Pimp go in on crooked coppers on this one, as they unleash passionate bars full of rage and revenge. “I know you got a vest so I’m aiming at your head, bloody red, I’m going to your funeral I’m spraying hoes with lead, fuck respect for the muthafuckin’ dead, cause I don’t give a fuck about a punk ass fed”. The catchy hook makes a mockery of the boys in blue’s intended purpose, as they chant “the policemen are your friends, they’re here to protect and serve” and scratch in NWA saying “Fuck The Police” underneath it. Pimp’s hard backdrop completes this strong protest against police brutality.

Stoned Junkee – UGK comes right back with another socially conscious message, as they and their guest, 3-2 each spit a verse coming from the perspective of a dope fiend. Definitely not my favorite song on the album, but I appreciate it more the more I listen to it.

Pussy Got Me Dizzy – Well, they can’t all be great. Wait…did Pimp C just say her titties are like pie?

Three Sixteens – The final song of the evening finds the PA duo and DJ DMD (who gets a co-production credit on this one) each spitting a 16 bar verse, thus the song title. None of the parties involved sound spectacular on the mic, but the instrumental is very dope.

Super Tight picks up where their debut album left off, as UGK serves up a heavy dosage of ratchetness and sprinkles of righteousness over a heapin’ helpin’ of deep fried southern hip-hop instrumentation. Neither Bun B or Pimp C, are top-tier emcees, but they definitely improved since Too Hard To Swallow, and so did Pimp C’s production work. I wouldn’t call Super Tight a classic, but I wouldn’t be mad at you if you did.

-Deedub