Bun B is headlining the first Houston rap show at RodeoHouston.

It's no secret that Port Arthur's own, Bun B, born Bernard James Freeman, has stacked an impressive resume throughout his decades-long career as a musical artist. It started when he first exploded on the scene in 1987 with the late Pimp C in the influential hip hop duo UGK (short for Underground Kingz) and continued with countless features and five solo studio albums. 

But the resume the local rap legend is building as a well-rounded entrepreneur and businessman is equally as notable. From collaborations on books, merchandise and in education to a burger company thriving largely from pop up shops, Bun B, is expanding his brand beyond the studio. 

Here's are 6 things you may not know about the Houston native emcee.

In 2013, he teamed up with The Ringer journalist and New York Times bestselling Texas author, Shea Serrano, for a hip hop coloring and activity book titled "Bun B's Rap Coloring and Activity Book." The book was designed to be a "shareable hip hop learning experience for families" where parents can introduce rappers they grew up listening to with their children and vice versa, the rapper said in March in a podcast with television personality and tech investor, Tanya Sam. In 48 pages, the interactive book includes coloring pages and activities like mazes, crossword puzzles and fill in the blank quizzes incorporating a mix of old school hip hop legends like Tupac, the Notorious B.I.G, and MC Lyte with a mix of newer emcees like Drake, Big Sean and Machine Gun Kelly. The paperback retails at $9.49 on Amazon.

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Bun B is a rapper, foodie, professor and tireless cheerleader for Houston.

Bun B is a rapper, foodie, professor and tireless cheerleader for Houston.

Also in 2013, he shared the stage with the acclaimed Houston Symphony Orchestra in a rare musical cross-pollination for its "Concert against Hate" event commemorating the centennial of the Anti-Defamation League. In his performance he dropped original rhymes about four locals known for their work in civil rights and education becoming the first hip hop musician to be included in the orchestra performance.

Although he didn't attend college, that didn't stop him from teaching a college course. In 2015, Bun B co-taught a class as a visiting lecturer at Rice University exploring the relationship between religion and hip-hop with the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion, Anthony Pinn. Bun B credits fellow Houston rapper, Chamillionaire, for the opportunity after suggesting him because his schedule did not allow time for it. He taught the course along with Pinn in alternating semesters for roughly five and a half years, and said "it probably is one of the most fulfilling things" he's done in his life, he told Sam. 

Over the years Bun B has frequently rocked Houston paraphernalia, especially attire repping the city's beloved sports teams. But in 2014 he scored his first collaboration with the Houston Astros. Two more with the team followed years later including one in 2019, and another signature collection he launched Wednesday in recognition of Houston's unofficial holiday 713 Day. 

In 2021, Bun B dabbled in his first culinary venture cashing in on a increasingly popular food trend where thin, flat-grilled burgers are smashes to order over a griddle. He called his concept Trill Burgers in partnership with California-based culinary entrepreneur Andy Nguyen. It quickly caught steam with a series of pop-ups around Houston followed by vendor appearances at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where he sold nearly 12,000 burgers as one of the rodeo’s food vendors — all before a permanent restaurant location was determined. The first brick and mortar location opened in April in Long Beach, California, and a Houston site is preparing to open later this year.

Although he was tight-lipped in the podcast on revealing specifics about some of his next business endeavors, the rapper did indicate that he's working on producing a few televisions shows including one in real estate, dating and a show chronicling the life of a prominent NBA champion. Given Bun B's strong affinity and unwavering support for his hometown sports' teams, could be a Rockets legend? Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Monique Welch is an engagement reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

Monique reports on the trendiest news within the greater Houston region and across Texas, and occasionally contributes to the Chronicle's race and identity newsletter, HouWeAre. A native Baltimorean and previous Tampa resident, Monique joined the Chronicle in the summer of 2021 after nearly four years at the Tampa Bay Times where she worked on all things digital, launched the newspaper's first race and identity newsletter, Regarding Race, and covered local news. Monique holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Media Studies from Goucher College.

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