Bun B on Being Sampled for Drake's Ella Langley Remake: 'The Stars Aligned'

Approximately a month ago, Bun B found himself awake during the online premiere of Drake's short film Fear of Missing Out. While he managed to catch the beginning of the midnight livestream, he soon fell asleep. His slumber was interrupted by a flurry of notifications from his nieces excitedly calling him to announce that "the song is on."

The track they were referring to is Drake's long-anticipated remake of Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas," featuring Don Toliver from Houston. This remake, which has since become a Top 10 hit titled "Solar Eclipse," prominently samples Bun B's classic 2005 track "Get Throwed," known for its distinct descending bass riff.

This is the second occasion on which Drake has sampled "Get Throwed," having previously featured it in the 2021 track "N 2 Deep." Bun B expressed his profound appreciation for how these placements have positively impacted his streaming figures. "Having your song featured on a Drake track generates revenue and allows people to rediscover the original record. Consequently, the streaming numbers for 'Get Throwed' have seen a resurgence, which is significant for us," he notes. "It’s a major advantage to have a friend like Drake in the music industry."

Bun B has had a close relationship with Drake for nearly two decades, having supported him during his early days when he was primarily recognized as a Canadian actor associated with Young Money. He commends Drake's approach to Langley's record-breaking hit, transforming it into a stylish homage to Texas, a state where the rapper recently acquired a $15 million ranch. "This is a full-circle moment, reflecting how Texas has inspired and influenced him on numerous levels," Bun notes. "At this point, one could argue that Texas might be considered Drake's second home. It truly feels like the stars aligned."

Regarding the selection of "Get Throwed" as the sample, Bun B attributes its relevance to the notable production by Mr. Lee and the song's significance in capturing a specific moment in time. When the song was launched as a single from his solo debut, Trill, Bun was embarking on a new phase of his career following his impactful contributions as part of UGK alongside the late Pimp C. "Get Throwed" features memorable verses from both of them, as well as appearances from Jay-Z, Jeezy, and Z-Ro, which propelled the track into heavy national rotation. "While UGK and the Geto Boys and other iconic Houston artists had already made contributions to the culture before, Houston experienced a considerable resurgence between 2005 and 2007 that brought greater attention and recognition to the city. This song brings listeners back to a time when Houston was at its most impactful."

As an astute observer of hip-hop dynamics, Bun B is not surprised by Drake's comeback from the challenging headlines of 2024 and 2025. "Despite the efforts to count him out, an equal number of people continued to champion his cause," he asserts. "The crucial element to focus on is that he has never doubted himself. I admire someone like him who can overcome adversity, weather a public feud, and deal with the disloyalty of certain individuals he supported, all the while maintaining his integrity and resilience. Look where he is now; he has perhaps never been more popular, possibly even surpassing previous levels."

Bun B is currently in Houston during a brief pause in his fall tour with 8Ball and MJG, where they are performing tracks from their respective catalogs, enriched by the Renaissance Orchestra. "This offers a fresh musical interpretation of both their and our legacy, yet it feels as authentic as it did when we released the hip-hop version," he shares.

With Election Day approaching, Bun B feels optimistic about the prospects of Senate candidate James Talarico. "There is a notable shift occurring," he observes, having recently joined esteemed Texas musicians such as Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves in endorsing Talarico. "The public sentiment is increasingly misaligned with the current administration's vision, prompting individuals to seek new directions, not only politically but ideologically. I align with this emerging trend, and I am eager to see how the midterms unfold."

Outside of his musical endeavors, Bun B is also focused on his restaurant chain, Trill Burgers, which has recently inaugurated a fourth location in Houston, alongside its establishments at Rice University and Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. Additionally, he assures fans that more music is on the horizon for 2027: "Stay tuned, as new music from Bun B will be released next year."