Life or Death (No Limit, 1998) by C-Murder

This album is pretty typical No Limit fare.  At 26 tracks long, it is a lot of music and, therefore, the consumer gets a lot for their money.  Most of the music itself is mediocre at best, but does do a fine job of representing the platinum tank and its whole movement.  In addition to guest verses from fellow No Limit soldiers throughout the album, UGK also contributes to one of the album's high points, "Akickdoe!"

Underground Kingz (Jive, 2007) by UGK

"Man I'm a middle finger figure (figure), a million dollar mission/Poppin like Orville Redenbacher (bacher), with a whippin in the kitchen (kitchen)/Yayo like Dontrelle Willis (what?), we the trillest/On the mound, I'm holdin that whole South down, I know you feel us/We the realest walkin the planet, can't stand it/Pass away, wanna fight us/Start to swingin, wanna kill us/Blast away, wanna stab us/Get to stickin but make sure you cut us deep/'Cause I betcha we comin back a couple hundred brothers deep (oh!)/Pimp and Bun, we run the streets, which streets? Man, pick your hood/Don't matter, we represented, cross us? (yeah) We gon' get you good/Them Down South veterans (huh), ain't nobody better than/gonna tell your next of kin or your brethren, let us in cousin" 

-Bun B, "The Game Belongs to Me"

Ridin' Dirty (Jive, 1996) by UGK

Bun B is an incredible rapper; there's no doubt about that.  And so the great thing about this album is the production.  Pimp C's production is a breath of fresh air- it's real music and that creates a great juxtaposition to the gritty raps.  Content-wise, it isn't much difference from other rap cliches.  However, it's not the west coast funk or the heavy bass that's often apparent in the south.  Therefore, it ultimately creates something that hasn't really been heard before.  I think it's an incredible album and it's one that I always play straight through from beginning to end.

II Trill (Rap-A-Lot, 2008) by Bun B

Between Bun's first and second solo albums: Pimp C was released from prison, UGK topped the charts with Underground Kingz and then Pimp C died.  However, despite all the drama, he was able to put together a great second set of music.  "That's Gangsta" featuring Sean Kingston was a great single that didn't compromise Bun's swagger and "You're Everything" which samples Jodeci's "Cry for You" pays homage to southern hip hop.  "Get Cha Issue" and If I Die II Night" provide deep lyrics and social commentary.  The most noteworthy record though is "Angel in the Sky"- a very touching song eulogizing his friend, Chad "Pimp C" Butler.

Trill (Rap-A-Lot, 2005) by Bun B

For an album seemingly created out of necessity, this sounds a lot better than something that comes to fruition under those circumstances.  Put simply, at a time when Texas hip hop (i.e. Mike Jones, Slim Thug, Paul Wall) was getting national attention, Bun B proves why he's one of the best rappers from Texas ever.  Even with a large number of guest appearances for a solo album, Bun outshines them all.  The Ludacris assisted "Trill Recognize Trill" finds Bun and Mr. Bridges over one of the best instrumentals that I've ever heard from Lil Jon.  And  "Get Throwed" is an all-star cut with Pimp C, Jay-Z, Z-Ro and Young Jeezy.  However, the album's best moment is "The Story" wherein Bun gives a personal account of UGK's storied history- from their beginning to their mainstream break with Jay-Z to Pimp C's incarceration.  It's as personal as hip hop songs get and who better to record it than one of the game's most respected emcees.

Too Hard to Swallow (Jive, 1992) by UGK

This is a really gritty album.  It's very aggressive and raw-sounding.  However, these factors complement Bun B and Pimp C's abilities because their writing still stands out, even amidst the aggressive content.  "Something Good" is a great record as well as "Pocket Full of Stones."  The beats are really hard, and UGK's sound would eventually evolve with the input of better productions and melodies.  But, in 1992, this was a tough album that established them as underground royalty.  Within a few years, they would become one of the greatest duos in hip hop history.