Review Summary: Possibly UGK's hardest, funkiest and most cohesive submission to date.
Pimp C never claimed to make hip hop music. “I make country rap tunes....it’s a bit slower, has some church influence, and I don’t know about these other n*ggas, but me and Bun got something to say.” Felt I should quote that one since I could not have said it better myself. Super Tight, in my opinion, is the finest example of country rap tunes ever released. Front to back (..and side to side), the album is full of hard lyrics and explosively funky production. Yet it is still a very easy album to listen and re-listen to, since Young Pimp and Bun B always know how to keep things tasteful and artistically significant.
Hip hop music is all about beats, raps and vibes and country rap tunes are no different. The anxiety you might feel because of the slower pace of the music melts away as you get used to the way things are done in the South. The lyrics might come at you slower and with less wordplay, but they are still just as satisfying. The vibe is one of confidence, honesty and hedonism.
“Return,” the set-it-off track, is all about getting the listener’s attention and setting the tone for the album, one of sheer badassery and disregard for anyone and anything that isn’t trill. Once in the air, the listener will come to realize that it is possible to rap about shooting people, selling drugs, doing drugs and banging hoes while still sounding deep. UGK always managed to drop some knowledge in the strangest places, giving us the whole picture of the hood, not just what’s sexy or downright ugly. Examples of this are “I Left it Wet for You” and “Stoned Junkee.” The first one is a supreme diss at all of the unlucky busters whose women Pimp and Bun ran through, yet somehow Pimp C manages to squeeze in a couple lines about how none of this makes him feel any less suicidal. Stoned Junkee is a ballad given from the perspective of people in the underbelly of the drug world, surrounded by injustice, addicted to dope and afraid.
That’s not to say the album isn’t fun. In fact, pretty much every song on the album would make for some playalistic cadillac music. Problems with the police/authority? Protect and Serve will get your blood pumping. Got a new ride and feeling fly? Front Back and Side to Side, baby. New promotion at work or new job? It’s SUPPOSED to bubble. There’s just about a song for every hip hop emotion packed tightly into this album, and multiple listens will bring out tiny gems in the production and lyrics that you may have not noticed.
It’s a shame that this album is overlooked under the tremendous shadow of Ridin’ Dirty. Even though their 1996 classic has better beats and a more mature perspective, Super Tight is where UGK hit their peak so far as energy and rawness are concerned. In terms of cohesiveness, this album is perfect. Bun never outshines Pimp and nobody hogs the limelight. Like with the other UGK albums, the features might not steal the show, but always meet expectations. This album is funkier, harder, flashier, and has better-timed production than just about 95% of everything else you’ve listened to. That means it’s super tight, right?
Recommended Tracks:
I Left it Wet for You
Feds in Town
Protect and Serve
Pocket Full of Stone, Pt. 2
Three Sixteens
