PIMP C OF UGK WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS HOTEL ROOM TUESDAY DEC. 4, 2007
Posted December 5, 2007 -- The sudden death of UGK rapper Pimp C has shocked the hip-hop community. Many rappers have credited UGK as an influence on their own music, and Southern hip-hop in general. Here are some words from Pimp C's fellow artists and friends
T.I.: "My heart goes out to Pimp C's family. He was a pioneer in the rap game. I have a lot of respect for him and his accomplishments. It's definitely a sad day in hip-hop."
Rick Ross: "We lost one of the greatest icons in music, period. He’s one of my favorite lyricists that inspired me, Ricky Ross, that pushed the boundaries of Southern hip-hop. I felt like Ridin’ Dirty was one of the best three albums in the history of Rap. And just to see the loss of life, it’s a sad thing. He won’t be forgotten. My prayers go out to Bun B and Pimp C’s kids. And it’s sad to watch him go to prison and for him to come home and…they just had their number one album. Their future was in front of them. There was so much left on the table for Pimp C and UGK. My deepest sympathies go out to him and his family straight up."
DJ Drama: "Like the rest of us. The rest of us is pretty devastated. It’s a sad thing. It’s a bittersweet day for me, personally. I’m coming out on the same day we’re losing a legend, Pimp C. I got the honor of being on a song with him on T.I.’s album called “Front Back.” I got to meet him at the video. It was an honor and a privilege. I haven’t heard too much outside to his passing. I send my condolences to Bun. We gon rep for the big homie. Keep his legacy alive."
Updated December 5, 2007-- Pimp C (born Chad Butler), one half of influential Southern rap group UGK, was found dead in his Los Angeles hotel room Tuesday morning. So far, authorities say his death appears to be from natural causes. A statement issued by the Mondrian hotel, where Butler was staying after gig at the nearby House of Blues, said hotel staff was alerted by relatives who hadn't heard from him.
"Mr. Butler had checked into the hotel on 28 November and, according to the callers, was to have checked out Monday," the statement read. "Security personnel went to Mr. Butler's room and found him in bed, apparently expired. A 911 call was placed at about 9:20 a.m. and paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded and pronounced Mr. Butler dead."
A statement from the rapper's representative, Nancy Byron, confirmed his death, stating "It is with great regret that I must confirm that Chad Butler, a.k.a. Pimp C, one half of the legendary UGK, was in fact discovered dead this morning."
She goes on to add, "Manager Rick Martin is asking that everyone please respect his family and those closee to him at this time and refrain from rumors and innuendo. A formal statement will be released later this afternoon. Thank you all for understanding."
According to Capt. Ed Winter of the L.A. County Coroner's office, the rapper was found lying on his side fully dressed on his bed in his sixth floor hotel room. There were no indications of drug use or a suicide. Winter said it did not appear that there was anyone else in the room with him.
Over the weekend, Pimp C performed at the House Of Blues in L.A., with fellow rapper and friend Too Short. Pimp was still riding high off a successful year. He and partner-in-rhyme Bun B recently won Best Hip-Hop Collabo for “International Player’s Anthem” featuring Outkast at the 2nd Annual BET Hip-Hop Awards. UGK had also scored its first #1 album by selling 160,000 copies of its Underground Kingz album back in August. Pimp C was apparently signed to a solo deal with Jive Records and had both a satellite show and a cologne endorsement in progress.
The rapper’s Myspace page is already being flooded with condolences and messages, praising Pimp’s pioneer status. “Rest In Peace Pimp C, you were a Southern Legend,” one fan posted.
Pimp C was 33. Stay tuned as this story develops.
