BUN B “TRILL OG”
INTERVIEW
by Aaron Cortez 8.25.10
What’s up Bun? Let everyone know about this new “Trill OG” album if they haven’t picked it up and heard it.
The new album “Trill OG” is in stores right now. Production by Steve Below, DJ B-Do, Boi1Da, Big E. Appearances by Pimp C, Drake, 2Pac, Twista, Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti. I think it’s an incredible album.
What’s on your mind when going into the studio? Do you go in with a certain topic or is it about what you are feeling that day?
It’s about what you are feeling, looking out at the world and seeing what’s going on, what you like or even talk about what you don’t like.
I usually don’t mention other magazines, but you recently received “5 Mics” for your new album from The Source. What does that mean to you?
It means a lot to me. It’s an incredible accomplishment. It’s something that I’ve strive for. It stands for a symbol of excellence. It makes me want to work harder.
When UGK came out, you guys laid groundwork and foundation for the southern scene. Did you know at that time, what you were doing or were you just young having fun?
Initially, we just wanted to represent Port Arthur, TX and represent our city like everyone else was reppin’ theirs. It eventually blew up into a movement that was bigger than what we were doing. It took a while for us to understand it but when we did, we embraced it. We just tried to lead people into a real direction.
So did you know what you were accomplishing?
No, we were just keeping it real with people. We were just saying what we felt. We didn’t know that many people felt the same as us.
You are one of the very few minds that always defend the youth and their music. People say ‘They’re killing rap’, ‘they’re not talking about anything’, ‘they’re dancing’, but why do you defend it?
All that stuff has always been an element of Hip-Hop. We’ve always had dancing. Even Big Daddy Kane, who was a lyrical giant and one of the greatest MC’s of our time, has always incorporated dancing into his shows. It’s the same with MC’s singing on their songs. I feel that no one has the right to tell somebody what they should or shouldn’t be doing. If people like it ‘cool’ if not so be it. We shouldn’t set a parameter and make people rap about certain things or rap a certain way. Then, the game wouldn’t get the chance to evolve.
With the new technology around, it seems like the public wants every moment of an artists’ life from the Twitter updates, Facebook to all the YouTube footage. How do you embrace it while keeping your privacy?
You embrace the posititivity and ignore the negativity. People have the opportunity to talk to anyone all over the world about whatever they choose but they choose to talk about how much they hate somebody. Once you block people like that out, you get a chance to hear that people support you and you get a chance to show that you appreciate that. I love it. I got nothing to hide. It’s all good.
But this is same technology that allows users to share music with a click of a button.
There’s nothing, at this point, that we can do anything about it. The reality is that some people are going to download music at one point. Some people download all their music. Give people so much music that their only option isn’t to download your album. With mixtapes and features, you almost have to give them an album to be able to sell them an album. I like making music so it doesn’t bother me. Artists have to learn to capitalize off themselves than just selling albums.
Do you mind the use of the word “Trill” by others?
I mean, I can’t copyright the sh*t. I didn’t make it up. I just helped make the word popular. I can’t sit around and say who can and who can’t use it. I say words I didn’t make up all the time. Just don’t misrepresent it. That’s what I say. “Trill” is more than a word. It’s a state of mind and a way of life.
You’ve stayed down with Rap-A-Lot for years. Why the allegiance?
Just keeping it real. I’ve left labels before. You work that situation until it doesn’t work anymore. We’re happy right now.
What can fans look forward to the new Pimp C album?
It’s an incredible album. But there’s a misconception that I’m the one putting the album together. The estate of Pimp C is actually putting it together.
What’s the future hold for Bun B?
Working on another album and developing other artists. Just trying to stay focused and contribute to music as long as I can. And when it’s not my time, bow out gracefully.