Bun B is discovering more sides to his story. The rap elder statesman’s second solo album shows growth and maturity, positioning him as a multifaceted stylist. While his solo debut, Trill (Rap-A-Lot, 2005), showcased collaborative clout, II Trill affirms his versatility. Hungry for Street Bun? See “Another Soldier,” where he fires off a warning shot to suckers. Happy Bun? Try the syrupy “Good II Me” with R&B songbird Mya. For a mournful dose, there’s “Angel In The Sky,” a warm paean to his UGK partner, the late Pimp C. “Get Cha Issue” will satisfy conscious fans, as he rails against a corrupt justice system and proselytizes about religious responsibility. “Pay your tithes, put rings on your fingers and rims on your ride,” he raps.
The most arresting manifestation, though, is Hopeful Bun, who shows up on “If It Was Up II Me.” Accompanied by slow-rolling church organs and a powerful Junior Reid chorus, the Port Arthur veteran dreams of a world where “everybody’s getting money and everybody’s smiling.” II Trill draws its cohesion from its production, a stew of juicy grooves, synth patches, and gumbo-thick basslines. But what makes the album tick is an emotional complexity: Like an old sage, Bun B gracefully vacillates between raw fury and weathered wisdom.
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Comments
1.
balaramesh says:
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bun b is sooooooo underated. i have yet to hear one bad verse from bun.
July 15, 2008 at 4:23 am
2.
icedout79 says:
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this album is the best thang since toilet paper ya dig.....Bun tears a new a hole in this watered down rap game unbelivable how good this record sounds forget eryone else......hey bun can you and weezy do an ablum dawg
1
May 22, 2008 at 3:28 pm