Two decades after releasing his debut solo album Trill, Bun B still moves truth and purpose at the forefront of everything he does. It’s that focus that has carried him through every chapter of his career, especially during the making of his this album.
“Trill Unplugged” was a one-night-only performance held on October 18 at the House of Blues Houston, celebrating the album’s 20th anniversary. When reflecting on the emotions he felt while performing the album for his Day 1 fans, Bun sounded grateful. “Creating this album was cathartic for me,” he explained. “Because we were going through a lot of things in that moment, but we didn’t have the time or, honestly, a good reason to feel sorry for ourselves about it because of what Pimp [C] had to endure.”
As someone who grew up hearing his voice, getting to talk with him was a reminder of how deeply he’s woven into Southern culture. Hearing him describe the process, you could sense how much pride he takes in honoring that time. Bun looked back on those early songs with affection, not embarrassment.
Trill arrived in 2005 when Pimp C, the other half of rap group UGK, was serving time, leaving Bun B to step forward alone for the first time. “This is my first time having to construct an album without him,” Bun said. “So again, a lot of those songs were very emotional, specifically writing and recording ‘The Story’.” Trill became a project of survival and reflection, a way to keep the duo’s energy alive while finding his own lane.
So, for “Trill Unplugged,” Bun decided to bring back the original team that had helped him make the album in the first place. The reunion gave the anniversary extra meaning.
Reuniting his original team for Trill Unplugged gave the anniversary extra meaning. “I was able to surround myself with the same people, my wife and everybody, the same people that surrounded me throughout the course of creating this album and helped me keep a sane mind and stay focused.”
That homecoming was supported by Crown Royal, a brand that has been a consistent part of Bun B’s biggest milestones. The two have partnered for years on events like his Houston Rodeo performance, his Birthday Bonanza capsule collection with PURPLE BRAND, and now Trill Unplugged. He described how the brand has learned to anticipate his vision.
Courtesy of Crown Royal
“I’m a micromanager,” he admitted with a laugh. “If allowed, and if the situation calls, I’m going to try to worry and nitpick about every single little thing. The beauty about collaborating with Crown is that I don’t have to worry about that… they understand my intention. They understand the way that I want to connect to the community,” he said. That kind of trust, he explained, makes it easier to focus on the music and the audience instead of the small details.
And his commitment to connecting with his community extends beyond brand work. Over the past year, Bun B has developed a close relationship with Monaleo, one of Houston’s newest voices in music. The rising rapper represents the city’s new energy, and Bun has become one of her biggest champions. He recently joined her on We On Dat (OG Mix) with fellow H-Town rappers Lil Keke and Paul Wall, and last month he even performed as a surprise guest at her wedding.
“We’ve been able to build a great relationship,” he said. “My wife was a big fan of Monaleo’s. She’s like, ‘y’all need to figure out how to do some music together because this little girl is hot.’”
Turns out, we can thank his wife for making that introduction! The chemistry between the two rappers was instant, leading to a feature on Bun’s upcoming album, Way Mo Trill. “She’s on a song called ‘I Can’t Lie’ with me and Scotty ATL,” he said. Due November 7, the album reunites him with longtime collaborator Cory Mo and continues where their 2022 release, Mo Trill, left off.
He spoke about why Monaleo stood out to him. “She’s an amazing talent… Monaleo was the perfect person to put a cosign on and give support to lift up,” Bun said. “She’s really, really focused on what she needs to be focused on for her career. She’s doing everything she needs to do as an artist to perpetuate things and propel herself into a higher stratosphere.”
Last month, Monaleo and her husband, Stunna 4 Vegas, hosted one of the most talked about weddings of the year. The all-pink event was live streamed on Tiktok, garnering millions of viewers and even inspiring a viral hashtag: #Stunna4Leo. Despite the many eyes watching them online, the celebration was an intimate affair surrounded by the bride and groom’s close friends and family.
Among the guests were Bun B and Houston-based jewelry Johnny Dang. Clips circulated of Bun performing “Int’l Players Anthem” as the newlyweds and their guests gathered around him.
The story of how that performance came to be brought the biggest grin to Bun’s face. “I was so happy to go to the wedding,” he said. “I was invited, and I called the coordinator and I said, Hey, do you think they would mind if I perform? She was like, ‘No, I think they’d love it.’ So, I popped out during the reception. I was happy to do it for them. They’re a really sweet couple, for real.”
Hearing Bun B talk about Monaleo reminded me of a big brother-little sister relationship. Seeing him now, showing up for a younger generation with that same energy, made it clear that as a veteran, he isn’t trying to chase the sound of the youth. He’s helping them find their roots.
During the conversation, he also shared a story about meeting D’Angelo years ago in New York while in the studio with Pimp C. “I was in the booth. Pimp was at the board. And while I’m in there, I see a guy come in,” he recalled. “He’s got some braids. He’s got a little hoodie on or whatever. Now, I don’t recognize him from anywhere. Then Pimp [C] turns to me like, man, Bun, this is D’Angelo.”
Bun smiled fondly as he remembered that moment. “He was so cool, so down to earth,” he said. “He was one of our best writers, producers, singers, performers, and deep thinkers.”
Talking to Bun B felt like catching up with an uncle who has seen everything and still believes in what’s next. Twenty years later, he continues to mentor, collaborate, and celebrate without slowing down.
