Bun B

Bun B is the epitome of Southern hip-hop's finest qualities. He's talented, thoughtful and carries himself with an authority and integrity that is unmatched in the rap universe. He began his career in the late 1980s, recording independent albums with his partner Pimp C as the Underground Kingz. After building a serious local following with their funk-heavy production and Cadillac 'n' crack rhymes, the duo were signed to Jive Records and dropped several quality LPs, including Super Tight, Ridin' Dirty and Dirty Money. National crossover fame would come thanks to two key collaborations; "Big Pimpin'" with Jay-Z and "Sippin' on Some Syrup" with Three 6 Mafia. After Pimp C caught a case for aggravated assault, Bun B stepped up his guest-rap game, working with tons of high-profile artists, including Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, Chingy and Mike Jones. He dropped his first solo album, Trill, in 2005. After Pimp C was released from prison in 2006, the pair reunited for 2007's Underground Kingz album, which would prove the group's swan song, as Pimp overdosed on cough syrup later that year. Bun returned in 2008 with the excellent II Trill.