In light of the tragic and sudden death of UGK member Pimp C, many in the Southern hip-hop community have shared their thoughts about his music, his life and his legacy.
The news of Pimp C (born Chad Butler) being found dead in an L.A. hotel room sent shock waves throughout the hip-hop community. Several artists and friends who knew Pimp voiced their condolences and offered their reflections on the life and influence of the Southern rap pioneer.
"I was so very proud of Chad and the growth he has shown since his release from prison; as an artist and business man and as a person," Pimp's manager, Rick Martin, said via a statement. "As one half of the legendary Texas group UGK, Chad was finally seeing the results of the years of love and labor that he and Bun B have put in, culminating in the tremendous success of their album, Underground Kingz. Chad was set to soar with not only a new solo deal on Jive Records, but a lucrative publishing deal, a new satellite radio show, several group projects and a national cologne endorsement. Chad had everything to live for, making his unexpected passing a travesty."
"On some real sh*t, I feel like a New York ni**a feel like if they lost Kool G Rap or Rakim," Killer Mike told SOHH, who was in the process of getting Pimp to appear on his upcoming album. "Like a West coast ni**a feel like if they just lost Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. He was full of passion for the south. Pimp and Bun was super tight and showed us how to make a southern classic, street-hop album. They were our foundation. You wouldn't have your OutKast, Goodie Mob or this whole Houston movement without him," he continued. "Like he told me in the studio, the key to succeeding is to rap like you're dying. Like you're drowning. That man done touched a lot of lives."
Lil Jon, who had also worked with rapper in the past, took time out to express his regret for the loss of Pimp C.
"That was my ni**a, good motherfu**in' dude," Lil Jon told SOHH. "Not many like him. Always kept it real and was a champion for the Southern rap movement! A true king! You will be missed brother. Love you man."
"Pimp C was the beginning for me," said Atlanta-based rapper Stat Quo. "He's a legend, someone I wanted to be. He pretty much invented the swag that everybody talks about having today. Dude was just a classy cat. Back in the day he was all we had. Getting to know dude, he was a big brother to this generation of southern rappers."
While reports have yet to surface on how Pimp passed away, the consensus is that no matter the cause of the rapper's untimely death, his legacy is firmly in tact in the hearts and minds of those in hip-hop, especially in the south.
"Damn it's a sad day," Scooby of Houston rap group the Grit Boys told SOHH. "It's dark outside. I think it should pull us closer together. Everybody should understand it don't matter who it is, it can happen to all of us. R.I.P. to that man. He made the best of it when he was here."
