UPDATE: Homicide detectives are now at the Mondrian Hotel investigating the death.
Pimp C, real name Chad Butler -- and one half of the rap duo UGK, was found dead in a hotel room this morning. He was 33.
L.A. County Fire responded to a 911 call at the Mondrian Hotel, located on trendy Sunset Strip in Hollywood. They arrived to his sixth floor hotel room to find him dead in bed.
UGK is best known for appearing on the Jay-Z track "Big Pimpin'" in 2000, and more recently with Outkast on the song "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)." Pimp C had just performed with fellow rapper Too Short at the "House of Blues" in L.A. on Saturday night.
UPDATE: Jive Records has issued the following statement regarding Pimp C's death:
"It is with great sadness that Jive Records announces the passing of Chad "Pimp C" Butler, a member of the celebrated rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Jive Records' President and CEO Barry Weiss states: "We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I've known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family."
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler's father was a trumpet player who played professionally with Solomon Burke. Outside of his father, the 33-year old rapper's influences varied, ranging from Bobby Bland, Jimmy McGriff, the 1960's Motown artists to Run DMC. Butler met his inseparable partner Bernard "Bun B" Freeman in high school where they formed UGK. In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records and went on release a total of eight albums for the label. They earned their highest achievement earlier this year when their most recent album, UGK (Underground Kingz), debuted in the number one position on the album pop chart. According to the New York Times, UGK "helped inspire a generation of Southern hip-hop stars, from OutKast to Lil Wayne."
Bun B is not available for comment at this time."
Reader Comments
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i cant belive that he's dead R.I.P. Pimp C, UGK 4 Life!!!
If you have not heard of Pimp C you Have gotta dumb as hell. Maybe next time you should research before you comment. No body gives a f*u** about Quiet Riot. With a name like that no wonder you died out.
To every UGK fan that is representing the respect and love 4 the loss we have experienced, DO NOT listen to any of these sorry, jealous, and misunderstanding haters. Not only did we lose a human life, but a icon of the game. Uneducated about the rap genre, idiots will say and do what they do. This should and will not blemish the legacy of "Southern Rap Tunes" created by C and Bun. While some dont like rap or 4 that matter UGK, at least we know that these 2 Texas boys were who they were intended to be......REAL or should iI say TRILLLLLLLLLLLL. RIP Pimp C Keep it trill Bun
I have no idea who he is either, but people please respect the dead. Don't you people have any morals whatsoever?
the game has lost a truly talented person. rest in peace Pimp C. also to those folks posting ignorant comments on the man ya need watch ya mouth! that stuff ain't funny what so ever! and to puupie, b-man & the others - come down to okc & see me "Boss D" bout ya reckless messy mouthin! i ain't hard to find.Ya don't know nuthing bout nuthing,talkin all out the side ya necks. pha-q!!!!
"....AND I AINT GOIN NO TIME SOON, GOTTA BROAD ON A PLANE PUSS*C FULL OF BALLOONS!"
PIMP BUMPED ON THAT TRACK!!!
R*I*P PIMP C
I really hate to see the words "rapper and "talented" used in the same sentence, because there is really no talent involved and it's really a black eye on what most americans consider music, but nonetheless...it's very unfortunate that this has happened.
Although pimp and all other rappers have contributed absolutely nothing to the world of music, they do have a large following and appeal to those who enjoy poorly written poetry with a drumbeat.
Aside that, peace be with his family and friends.
yeah that white dude was Quiet Rito frontiman was Kevin Dubrow. i never liked Quiet riot too tough as a kid, I was more into Metallica, Slayer and Sepultura, 83 i was like 6 or 7 so i aint get into music till like 12. but Pimp's recent, unexplaine death hits home. i got so much for UGK and BUN and PIMP only had 2 years or less to come back together again for that Texas magic. RIP PIMP SWEET JONES $ EVER ALREAY. Much respect from NYC Wash Heights 190
UGK for life... RIP Pimp C.. .you will be truley missed by all of those who loved hip hop.
WHY ARE WHITE OPEOPLE IGNORANT BECAUSE WE PREFER NOT TO LISTEN TO RAP CRAP...WHOMEVER HE IS RIP ANYWAY
