UGK, short for Underground Kingz, was an influential hip-hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, formed in 1987 by Chad Pimp C Butler and originally Mitchell Big Mitch Queen, who was later replaced by Bernard Bun B Freeman. Known for pioneering Southern rap, UGK gained national attention with their 1992 debut Too Hard to Swallow and released several acclaimed albums, including the chart-topping Underground Kingz in 2007, which featured the hit single International Players Anthem I Choose You. The duo also collaborated on major tracks with artists like Jay-Z and Three 6 Mafia. Pimp C founded UGK Records in 2005 before his passing in 2007, marking the end of an era for Southern hip-hop.