Pitchfork

Jay-Z closed out last year in a surprising (and lackluster) union with longtime rival Nas, but 2007 has so far been without a Big Rap Moment. If on Lil Wayne-less days it looks as if Nas might've been right, then no longer. Texas rap gods UGK hook up with Atlanta rap gods Outkast for "International Player's Anthem", the single from the forthcoming UGK: Underground Kingz album, finally (supposedly) out July 17. The track's been circling the internet for what I'd rather not say has "been a minute," but the just-released video makes it feel like an event.

A wedding, to be precise. I guess the horn-luxuriant sample of Willie Hutch's "I Choose You" should've tipped us off. Keeping up his recent string of strong guest appearances, a kilt-clad Andre 3000 (he's got Scottish in his family) is prepared to give away all this pussycat in his lap for the love of the right woman. But Dre's best man isn't the only one yelling, "Too soon, too soon." It's an impressive return, both for UGK's Bun B and Pimp C-- two veterans on top of their game-- and for Outkast, who can now say the same despite their Idlewild indulgences. One of the best videos of the year? Let's get hitched.

[from UGK: Underground Kingz; due 7/17/07 on Jive]