What began as a regular interview translated into a protracted back-and-forth with Bun B when the topic drifted to Pimp C’s legacy. I made the mistake of asking Bun what measures he would take to keep his friend’s music from being exploited a la B.I.G. and Pac. I don’t know if it was his diplomatic tact at play or the hectic schedule he was working with that day (he was on a flight back to Houston for a Louis Vuitton/II Trill listening session), but for whatever reason Bun took issue with one question and passionately defended Pimp’s family over a crime they haven’t even committed.
Here’s a transcript of my conversation with Bun, raw and unfiltered.
Rizoh: What was the most exciting part of releasing II Trill.
Bun B: Just the fact that we have a lot more understanding about what we have to do. Last time, there was a little bit of anxiety and uncertainty about what it is we were doing.
What measures will you take to keep Pimp C’s brand from being exploited like 2Pac and Biggie’s respective catalogs?
I mean, music is going to be reissued. It’s got nothing to do with exploitation, that’s just the nature of the business. And to be honest, in the case of 2Pac, his mother owns the music. So, it’s not the record company exploiting that, it’s his mother.
I guess I’m really trying to understand what you mean by “exploited.” Can you give me an example of what you’re saying?
Obviously, there’s a difference between reissuing music and somebody getting a hold of 2Pac’s material and throwing all kinds of vocals on it to make an extra buck.
Well the reality is that I don’t have any kind of control over it. I don’t have any rights over anything…like, he was married, he has children, he has a mother, he has family. Basically, if you died your close relatives will get the material. It won’t be your close friend. Legally, I have no say over that. But, um…the reality is, a lot of times when people end up with these songs they don’t steal ‘em, they recorded that stuff. It just so happens that somebody passes away and they’re just sitting there with the record. Like with Pimp C, there’s a lot of people that bought beats and verses from Pimp C and they paid for it. It’s all business. So, it’s like telling them that they can’t put it out just because he passed away, you know. Like, if I would’ve had a record with B.I.G. and then Biggie passed away, but I paid for my verse and I got paperwork, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be able to put that record out.
I understand.
Really, I’m just trying to look for an example of what you mean. Can you give me an example?
Well, there’s a bunch of them and I know you don’t have all day. The Nu Mixx Klazzics is just one example. It’s basically old 2Pac vocals mixed with new beats. One of my readers wanted to know if this is something you’re concerned about.
Here’s the reality, those Nu Mixx Klazzics that you’re talking about, that’s the Death Row stuff. And, like he owns that. He owns that music. He can do pretty much what he wants with it. But, I mean if you talking about somebody taking an old verse and trying to reissue it, that’s a legal issue. They’re going to get sued out the ass anyway. I can’t go around trying to beat somebody up over a song. Most people I know are extremely respectful of his legacy, but I mean…I can’t really…I don’t…like I said, I have no…what would people want me to do? I guess, you as a fan, what would you want Bun B to do?
Well, as a UGK fan—
I’m not trying to come at you funny. Don’t take any of this personal, I’m directing the question to your readers.
Right
What would they want Bun B to do?
Michael Jackson owns most of the Beatles publishing, you can’t tell him not to issue the music. I’m sure the Beatles fans might get upset, but at the same time they go out and buy it. They buy it all. As long as people are getting paid from the product, I wouldn’t want anybody not to support it just because I didn’t have a hand in it, you know what I’m saying. Like, Pimp C’s wife owns the rights to anything Pimp C. So, she can do whatever she feels it’s necessary with that music.
(We’re disconnected. Bun B calls right back and apologizes. He’s in a plane, on his way back to Houston. While trying to lower his voice by speaking closely into his iPhone, his skin had made too much contact with the device and ended our call.)
But like I was saying, Pimp’s wife owns everything. So, from here on out she’s going to do whatever she feels is necessary to take care of her family. If what she feels she needs to do is at odds with what hardcore UGK fans want, I don’t know. You can’t please everybody, you know what I’m saying. Is she supposed to sacrifice the welfare of her family just so a couple of die-hard fans can be happy? I mean, would you really want her to do that? What would you have a widow do? She has to do whatever it is she has to do to take care of her family.
Part II: Bun B talks UGK’s new album and makes his NBA finals prediction.
Monday…
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