Biography
Beyoncé, Bun B, and Slim Thug are not a single musical artist but a collaboration on the 2005 remix of 'Check On It,' a track from Beyoncé's Destiny's Child greatest hits album #1's. Beyoncé Knowles, the lead artist, rose to fame with Destiny's Child before launching her solo career, blending R&B, pop, and hip-hop elements. The remix, released October 11, 2005, features Houston rappers Bun B (Stayve Jerome Thomas) of UGK and Slim Thug (Stayve Jerome Thomas, no relation), incorporating southern hip hop and crunk styles with a popularity score of 59 on Spotify. Produced by Swizz Beatz and co-written by Beyoncé, Sean Garrett, Angela Beyincé, and Slim Thug, it served as the theme for Beyoncé's role as Xania in the 2006 film The Pink Panther.
The song's music video, directed by Hype Williams and premiered November 8, 2005, on BET, showcases Beyoncé's dance moves with Bun B and Slim Thug adding gritty Southern rap verses repping Houston. This one-off collaboration bridged Beyoncé's mainstream appeal with Texas hip-hop's underground scene, highlighting Bun B's 'King of the Trill' status and Slim Thug's boss persona in lyrics like 'Reppin' Houston with Beyoncé and Slim Thug the boss'. No further joint projects as a trio are documented in available sources.
Their combined legacy on 'Check On It' exemplifies cross-genre success, peaking on charts and earning remix EPs with 5-6 tracks released in 2006 by Sony BMG. Beyoncé's career evolved into global superstardom, while Bun B and Slim Thug solidified Houston's hip-hop influence.
Fun Facts
- Originally written for The Pink Panther soundtrack where Beyoncé starred as Xania, but placed on Destiny's Child's #1's album instead.
- Bun B calls himself the 'King of the Underground and the King of the Trill' in his verse, standing 'on the top of the South like the King of the Hill'.
- Multiple remix EPs exist, including one with Junior Vasquez Club Mix (8:31) and Maurice's Nu Soul Mix.
- Video remastered in 4K 60FPS as recently as 2024, showing enduring popularity.
Musical Connections
Key Collaborators
- Beyoncé - lead vocalist and producer on remix ('Check On It' remix from #1's album and EP) [2005-2006]
- Bun B - featured rapper providing verse ('Check On It' remix single and video)
- Slim Thug - featured rapper and co-writer ('Check On It' remix, co-written by Slim Thug)
- Swizz Beatz - producer ('Check On It' production)
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Beyonce/ Bun B/ Slim thug has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.