Picture it, you're at a peak black function like a cookout or your play cousin's wedding. There is a shortlist of songs the DJ plays that immediately gets people out onto the dance floor, and one of them just turned 11 years old.

That song is "International Players Anthem" by UGK.

Photo: GIPHY

Considered to be one of Houston's finest contributions, the song famously sampled Willie Hutch's "I Choose You." Andre 3000, Big Boi, Pimp C and Bun B united to make black history magic, and we can't thank them enough. 

Rap archivist Evan Auerbach paid tribute to the song which was released on June 6, 2007. 

"There isn't a more perfect rap song than 'International Players Anthem,'" Auerbach wrote. "The fact that it was tied together by a Project Pat record, produced by Juicy J & DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, makes it even more special."

Photo: GIPHY

And, of course, there's the incomparable 3 Stacks! 

Photo: GIPHY

Other folks decided to join in on the fun, such as The Undefeated, who asked the ultimate question: who had the best verse on the joint?

Though the national anthem controversy is largely surrounded by NFL players taking a knee, someone decided to add to the conversation in the dopest way by creating a petition to change the national anthem to the beloved UGK hit instead. 

Happy 11th anniversary, "International Players Anthem." We choose you. 


André-3000Big-BoiBun BHouston, TXInternational Players Anthemnational anthemUGK