Some people don’t need an introduction. Their name alone carries the weight of their career and Bun B is one of those peoples. With classics older than some of these rappity-rap rappers (“Choppin Blades” “Front, Back & Side To Side”) As one half of the prestigious UGK, Bun has showed the world he is that dude. The Trill OG stopped by the GIANT’s offices to talk about his newest track “Cake” chillen with Andre 3000 in the dungeon, and explained exactly how Solange got him to bust a quick two-step in her video.
It’s Bun B. You ain’t got no choice but to get schooled.
GIANTLife.com: Tell us about the song “Cake” with Pimp C, Lil Boosie and Big K.R.I.T. How did that song come about?
Bun B: This was a song I originally recorded for the album “Trill OG” a couple years ago. There was a chorus we had from Pimp C sitting around and I thought it would be fun to have Pimp, myself and Lil Boosie. In between that time and today, Lil Boosie got locked up, which made the verse a little more pertinent. Thinking along the lines of artists who are associated with us, we thought it was a good idea to bring in Big K.R.I.T to be a part of the song. We also wanted to re-produce the song because the original beat leaked a couple years ago and we wanted to bring a newer sound, a fresher sound and K.R.I.T was able to do that lyrically and sonically.
GIANTLife.com: I’m a huge fan of K.R.I.T. I mean, much respect to Boosie, but I’m a huge K.R.I.T fan.
Bun B: K.R.I.T is an amazing artist, he’s an amazing person, outside of music, he’s just an amazing guy.
GIANTLife.com: So, what did you do with your first big check?
Bun B: My first big check, I moved to Atlanta from Houston in 1995. It was my first time looking into buying property and moving into a new place and not just an apartment someone lived in. I was thinking of investing my money and possibly trying to buy either a home or a town house. I took a chance and I moved out there. It was a little awkward at first because Pimp and everyone was back at home, so I was pretty much spending every day with Big Gip or Andre 3000 or at the dungeon.
GIANTLife.com: How much was that first check?
Bun B: 250,000 if I remember correctly.
GIANTLife.com: Wow! That’s exciting. Okay. What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?
Bun B: Too $hort. He said just don’t stop rapping. It was a song that he made and I found myself in a situation and he said ‘Look, no matter how everything feels, mad at the record company, mad at your girl, mad at life, stuff on the street, if in doubt, rap!’ If you’re not sure what to do, talk about it. If you’re not sure how to act on it, rap about it.
GIANTLife.com: Weren’t you in Solange’s video “Lovers In The Parking Lot” How did that come about?
Bun B: Solange and I were both at the same hotel in Los Angeles and I was recording. It might’ve been Grammy weekend and she brought up the idea of the video and would I be in it. I said yeah and then she said ‘Would you be open to dancing in the video?’ Then I said ‘Define dancing.’ [Laughs] She said just a little choreographed two-step. In my first mind, I thought this is going to come back to bite me in the ass, but you can’t be closed minded about things. Solange is also a great person, she understands who I am in the industry and I didn’t feel like she would try and play me. So I took a chance and I think it turned out great. I think people got it and got a kick out of it. I mean, some of the homies might’ve cracked a joke or two but it came out pretty good. [LAUGHS]
GIANTLife.com: If Pimp C were still alive today, what advice do you think he would give to you?
Bun B: Keep doing me! His thing was hip-hop dumbs itself down so much and he never wanted me to feel like I had to dumb myself down to be accepted. Show people that you’re smart, show people you know how the world works and you know how to move within the world and that gives people something to work with.
