From Port Arthur, Texas’ rough streets to Pimp C’s widely protested imprisonment, Bun B is no stranger to dealing with adversity. The Southern rap legend, who made up one-half of rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz) alongside the late Pimp C, is best known for his steely rhymes and tongue-in-cheek personality. At his core, the “Get Throwed” rapper embodies the essence of the Dirty South in all its grit. Through a series of undeniably popular releases and timeless tracks that underscore his effortless cool, Bun has chronicled life through hard-boiled stories about survival and hustling. He is, among other things, a historian in his own right, but at this stage in his career, the rapper turned restaurateur is taking his talents from the booth to burgers. 

Bun B’s Trill Burgers mirrors the success of his storied rap career. Much like his catalog of instantly recognizable anthems, Bun’s award-winning burgers follow the hands-on approach used to grow his fanbase: “When we started UGK 30 years ago, we were very hands-on and it was very hand-to-hand,” he shares. “And that’s how we’re starting Trill Burgers.” 

Earning critical acclaim, Good Morning America crowned Bun B’s Trill Burgers the “best burger in America,” 2022 sees the UGK rapper in a leadership position. At this year’s Rolling Loud Miami festival, the trillest OG brought the beef to Miami in partnership with Jay-Z’s luxury cognac brand, D’USSE. 

The drinks were flowing – D’USSE previewed their “Watermelon Cooler” cocktail, inspired and curated by Bun B himself – and the (truffle) burgers were bussin. D’USSE’s cocktail-making experience was a much needed break from Miami’s stifling heat. Still, aside from the free drinks and food, the best part about this activation was seeing Bun B connect with people: you never got the feeling that he thinks he’s too good for this kind of thing.

After one or two cooler’s, Dirty Glove Bastard chatted with Bun B about keeping it trill, Black Business Month, Black buying power, and the importance of supporting small businesses. 

Here are five key takeaways from our conversation. Find them below and stream Trill – Bun B’s debut studio album.

1. Keep it trill. With Pimp C in jail and Houston taking over airwaves, 2005 was the perfect time for Bun B to make his solo debut. He managed to keep UGK (and Pimp’s) name alive while carving out a career for himself. At first, Bun was opposed to trying his hand at a solo rap career, but his loyalty to Pimp C – a longtime friend turned brother – convinced him otherwise: “I did what I had to do in order to keep my brother’s name alive so that he could come home and join me.”
2. Hands-on approach. Part of what made UGK one of the most revered rap duos to come out of the South is their cohesion and consistency. Bun B and Pimp C rose to prominence by hitting the streets, which was often, and touching the people: “When we started UGK 30 years ago, we were very hands-on and it was very hand-to-hand.”
3. Support your people. According to reports, the Black buying power is projected to reach $1.8T by 2024. However, only 2% of that money is reinvested back into the Black community. One way to change the narrative, according to Bun B, is to support small businesses. “We have to empower Black people into the positions of the people that we aspire to be,” he shares. “Instead of aspiring to dress like people who wear Versace and Gucci, and give money to people who don’t give anything to our community, we need to help people become the next Gucci.”
4. Start local, think global. In order to craft a long-term, holistic type of change, we have to start from the ground up. From the people to processes to strategy, gradual change starts with support at the local level.
5. Put up or shut up. Since 2004, Black Business Month has been celebrated annually during the month of August. Amplifying black-owned businesses is essential to closing the racial wealth gap and leveling the playing field for minorities. And while industry solutions haven’t had much of an effect on creating change in real-time, countless people in leadership positions – Bun B included – are doing the groundwork to make a difference. “If you’re not supporting the people that are trying to win and representing your community, you’re not fighting the good fight – just shut up saying you are.”