UGKÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRidin DirtyÔÇÖ Turns 20: Ranking The Tracks For A Classic

Some albums make waves with huge singles and eye-popping sales figures, while others secure staying power by delivering undeniable content that will continue to resonate for years.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of UGKÔÇÖs career-defining RidinÔÇÖ Dirty album today, understand one of the most influential southern rap albums of all time hasnÔÇÖt even cracked 900,000 copies sold. Yet, every track on the highly-regarded project has provided game to millions of fans worldwide.

Whether we could relate or not, Pimp C and Bun B educated us on the highs and lows of being a beloved street figure amidst constant resentment, reeling us in with stewing southern twang and some of the most vivid storytelling of their era. Keep in mind that this was during a peak time for the genre in the eyes of many Hip-Hop heads and when southern rap wasnÔÇÖt taken seriously by critics or getting national exposure.

To reflect on how much Pimp and Bun were ahead of their time and remind everyone how these two Hip-Hop legends set the precedent for much of the rap scene we know today, weÔÇÖve dissected all 13 tracks from Ridin’ Dirty and ranked them from top to bottom.

RIP Pimp C. UGK 4 Life.

13. ÔÇ£IntroÔÇØ

Among an album full of southern fried standouts, the lowest hanging fruit is clearly the albumÔÇÖs intro. The clip doesnÔÇÖt have any music, so thatÔÇÖs only fair. Instead, ÔÇ£IntroÔÇØ is a live update from the Mississippi state penitentiary via UGK affiliate Smoke D, who snuck in a tape recorder during his stint and would send Pimp C his updates from the inside. The tapes would become the ÔÇ£Live From The PenÔÇØ skits that sporadically line the rest of this project.

12. ÔÇ£OutroÔÇØ

After some final updates from the pen via Smoke D, Ridin Dirty’ concludes with Pimp C spitting game and giving shoutouts to everyone from Spice 1 and Master P to Baby and Boosie, all over an eight minute reprise of the ÔÇ£Diamonds And WoodÔÇØ beat. This ÔÇ£OutroÔÇØ might not be an actual song, but thereÔÇÖs definitely replay value.

11. ÔÇ£TouchedÔÇØ

There are a lot of life lessons woven throughout Ridin’ Dirty, but ÔÇ£TouchedÔÇØ contains the blueprint to survival for Pimp and Bun. Through vivid seared soul storytelling from Bun and Pimp, listeners get a first hand account of how the two Port Arthur, TX riders earned their mental forcefield. The key? Never fear another soul and constantly stay on guard.

10. ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs Why I CarryÔÇØ

Backed by a murderous instrumental from Ridin’ DirtyÔÇÖs main producer N.O. Joe, ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs Why I CarryÔÇØ offers one of the albumÔÇÖs most striking moments and one that’s still relevant today. Featuring a third verse that starts with Bun ÔÇ£Coming from the small town of madness,ÔÇØ this audible horror movie finds the Texas duo detailing various reasons they remain strapped at all times, offering chilling details that could leave listeners running to get their CCL by songÔÇÖs end.

9. ÔÇ£3 In The MorninÔÇØ

ThereÔÇÖs an old saying that says ÔÇÿnothing good happens after 2AM.ÔÇÖ If you wouldÔÇÖve asked UGK if that were true around the time this late-nite riding track dropped in 1996, they probably wouldÔÇÖve given you a different answer, depending on the day.

This bottom-heavy, southern sonic hodgepodge finds the two brothers from another and their homie Big SmokinÔÇÖ Mitch detailing all the eye-popping activities they found themselves in on the daily, whether they involved squeezing on nipples or squeezing on triggers. Considering Bun is talking about being hunted by Colombian assassins, weÔÇÖre assuming heÔÇÖs moved on from that stage of his life by now.

8. ÔÇ£F**k My CarÔÇØ

Some girls are slick with their ulterior motives, while others make their prerogative known from jump street. On ÔÇ£F**K My Car,ÔÇØ the Texas duo delivered an entire song about ladies who want nothing more than to sit shotty in an expensive ride. Over waves of bass, slapping drums and striking keys, both Pimp and Bun let gawking gals know the only way they get to ride is if theyÔÇÖre down for get down. No exceptions. The saying is readily used to this day.

7. ÔÇ£RidinÔÇÖ DirtyÔÇØ

Those who have never called a Cadillac their own or moved weight without hitting the gym might not appreciate the title track to UGKÔÇÖs 1996 classic. Yet, thatÔÇÖs part of the allure with this slow-burning southern sizzler. By providing their cool, calm and collected approach to getting money in such a sonically intoxicating fashion, they put listeners directly in the driverÔÇÖs seat of a leaned back, out of body experience thatÔÇÖs way more relaxed from a second hand POV.

6. ÔÇ£Pinky RingÔÇØ

One of the main characteristics of UGKÔÇÖs mystified aura is their mack-hand, mainly spurring from Pimp CÔÇÖs straightforward all-around game. Those player ways are in full effect on ÔÇ£Pinky Ring,ÔÇØ an appropriately-named gem that finds Pimp and Bun letting oncomers know that pimping requires routine work and a firm grip, no matter the context. Definitely one of the albumÔÇÖs funkiest moments.

5. ÔÇ£Hi LifeÔÇØ

Sure, a lot of RidinÔÇÖ Dirty talks about the finer things in life, but the whole project teeters between comfortable and on the edge. For every ode to getting tail off material objects, thereÔÇÖs a song about dodging death on a whim. For every shout out to current crew members, thereÔÇÖs a bottle pouring out for someone theyÔÇÖll never see again.

ÔÇ£Hi-LifeÔÇØ embodies that unsettled mindset maybe more than any other song on the album. By telling stories that would make a prostitute blush, Pimp and Bun explain why people shouldnÔÇÖt get too full of themselves atop mellow and reflective production, because the highs in life are always balanced out by plenty of lows.

4. ÔÇ£Good StuffÔÇØ

Thanks to a bassline swipe from Fatback BandÔÇÖs ÔÇ£Backstrokin,ÔÇØ this hoe-stroll-smashing jam was bound to be a dime before the lyrics were even written. Once producer Sergio added switch-hitting drums and the rest of the club-ready trackÔÇÖs foggy details, UGK proceeded to drop unforgettable lyrics that slapped listeners in the face with authority.

3. ÔÇ£Diamonds And WoodÔÇØ

Between the flossy title and DJ Screw-repping hook, outsiders might assume ÔÇ£Diamonds And WoodÔÇØ would be all gravy. Yet, the view from behind UGKÔÇÖs wood grain wheel was never all good and this bubbling funk groove is a microcosm of Ridin DirtyÔÇÖs juxtaposition of high and lows, providing a strong balance of boss etiquette with lyrical struggle. Plus, ÔÇ£Some of my Sweets be tight and some of my Sweets be f***ed up/ but all my Sweets gon’ blow, so killa’ smoke get sucked upÔÇØ is one of the realest rap lines ever spit.

2. ÔÇ£MurderÔÇØ

What is there to say about ÔÇ£MurderÔÇØ that canÔÇÖt be derived from the title alone? A lot actually. Off rip, the scathing production from N.O. Joe will still give your system a run for the money to this day. The energy that instrumental produced allowed Bun and Pimp to lyrically blackout, offering no-nonsense lyrics that packed more punch than Goro and some of the illest flows delivered by southern rappers up until that point in rap.

1. ÔÇ£One DayÔÇØ

To set the mood for their game-changing third album, UGK used a dreary concept to give listeners a glimpse into the realities they were up against on the regular, letting everyone know all it takes is ÔÇ£One DayÔÇØ for someoneÔÇÖs whole life to go spiraling out of control. By providing heart-wrenching details about friends losing loved ones in house fires to seeing family members going up state for good, this Isley Brothers-inspired single with their man 3-2 wound up being a staple of the duoÔÇÖs catalog and one of the most revered rap songs ever recorded.

UGKÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRidin DirtyÔÇÖ Turns 20: Ranking The Tracks For A Classic : UPROXX