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{{Short description|American rapper (1973–2007)}}
{{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Redirect|Chad Butler|the member of the band Switchfoot|Switchfoot}}
| Name = Pimp C
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| Img = Pimp_c.jpg
| Img_capt = | name = Pimp C
| Img_size = | background = solo_singer
| Landscape = | image = PimpC.jpg
| Background = solo_singer | caption = Pimp C in 2006
| Birth_name = Chad Butler | birth_name = Chad Lamont Butler
| alias = {{flatlist|
| Alias = Sweet James Jones<br>Sweet Jones<br>Tony Snow<br>Mick Jagga<br>C Tha Pimp Free<br> Jack Trippa
* Sweet James Jones
| Born = {{birth date|1973|12|29}}<br />]
* Tony Snow
| Died = {{death date and age|2007|12|4|1973|12|29}}<br />]
* Percy Mack
| Origin =
* Jack Tripper
| Instrument =
}}
| Voice_type =
| Genre = ] | birth_date = {{birth date|1973|12|29}}
| Occupation = ] | birth_place = ], U.S.
| Years_active = 1992 - 2007 | origin = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|12|4|1973|12|29}}
| Label = ]<BR>]<BR>]
| death_place = ], U.S.
| Associated_acts = ]<br>]<br>]
| URL = http://www.pimpcmusic.com | genre = {{flatlist|
* ]
| Notable_instruments =
* ]
* ]
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* singer
* songwriter
* record producer
}}
| years_active = 1987–2007
| label = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
}} }}
'''Chad Butler''' (], ] &ndash; ], ]), better known by his ] '''Pimp C''', was an ]. He was part of the "]"-style rap group ].


'''Chad Lamont Butler''' (December 29, 1973 – December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name '''Pimp C''', was an American rapper and record producer. He was best known for his work with ] as one half of the hip-hop duo ].
==Biography==
Along with ], Pimp C made up ] (short for Underground Kings), a popular rap group from ], ].


Signing to ] in 1992, UGK released their major-label debut studio album '']'' to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_toohardtoswallow.html |title=U.G.K. (Underground Kingz) :: Too Hard to Swallow :: Jive Records |publisher=Rapreviews.com |date=2007-12-11 |access-date=2014-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=David |last=Jeffries |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/too-hard-to-swallow-mw0000089888 |title=Too Hard to Swallow - UGK |publisher=AllMusic |date=1992-11-10 |access-date=2014-05-04}}</ref> The group followed this with their second and third major-label albums '']'' in 1994 and '']'' in 1996, both of which charted in the ] to further success.<ref name="Leo Stanley">{{cite web|first=Leo |last=Stanley |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ridin-dirty-mw0000189343 |title=Ridin' Dirty - UGK |publisher=AllMusic |date=1996-07-29 |access-date=2014-05-04}}</ref><ref name="Rapreviews.com">{{cite web|url=http://rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_ugkridindirty.html |title=UGK :: Ridin' Dirty :: Jive Records |publisher=Rapreviews.com |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2014-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=David |last=Jeffries |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/super-tight-mw0000625970 |title=Super Tight... - UGK |publisher=AllMusic |date=1994-08-30 |access-date=2014-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_ugksupertight.html |title=UGK :: Supertight :: Jive Records |publisher=Rapreviews.com |date=2007-12-18 |access-date=2014-05-04}}</ref> The group received national attention in 2000 after being featured on ]'s hit single "]", which peaked at #18 on the ] and #1 on the ].
He is held in the highest regard by his fellow Southern rappers as one of the greatest.


The group went on hiatus for the first half of the 2000s after Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for a probation violation. During this time both members pursued solo careers, with Pimp C releasing his solo debut, '']'', in 2005, composed of material recorded prior to his sentencing. After being released from prison in December 2005, he released his second solo album, '']'', in 2006. UGK released their ] in 2007, which spawned the single "]" featuring ], which peaked at #70 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.
===Career===
After signing with ] in the early '90s, their initial 'success' was largely limited to fans of the ] genre and the hip hop music press. However, a prominent guest appearance on ]'s hit single "]" in ] (and later, ]'s "]"), gave ] the kind of national exposure that should have earned them a wider audience, greater recognition and mainstream success. However, they failed to capitalise on his break due to Pimp C's legal problems which led to a stint in jail.


Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room on December 4, 2007, with a coroner's report attributing his death to complications stemming from heavy consumption of ] and his pre-existing condition of ].
Pimp C also worked with ], ], ] and ] on a couple of projects. He invested in and endorsed ] in 2001 for its label launch. Pimp C stated that he would be releasing an album alongside rapper ], during his appearance on the show "Sucker Free" on ]. ] named "I'm Free" (]) as #80 on its list of 100 best songs of ].{{Fact|date=December 2007}}


==Early life==
On ], ], Pimp C appeared on BET's "Rap City." He was interviewed and gave his thoughts on multiple topics, including his current album, ''Pimpalation'', and beefs in the music industry. He also stressed that rappers need to unionize in order to keep from being used by record companies, a point he has stressed in previous interviews. Pimp C also stepped into the booth during the show and did an off the head freestyle to Bun B's track "Draped Up". He stated that it was the first freestyle he had done since being released from prison.
Chad Lamont Butler was born December 29, 1973, in ], but was raised in ]. Butler was the only child of Charleston Butler and Weslyn "Mama Wes" Butler Jacob Monroe.<ref name="boxden.com">{{Cite web|url=https://boxden.com/showthread.php?t=1018261|title=Dec 13 - OBITUARY for: Mr. Chad Lamont Butler "Pimp C"|website=boxden.com|date=13 December 2007 }}</ref> Butler was born prematurely and had numerous health issues, including a birth defect that caused his legs to point inward, which required braces to fix. He also had to be propped up when he slept due to digestive problems.<ref name="jamfeed.com"/> His eyesight was poor, and he almost went blind after a severe bout of ]. Butler also had ] at least nine times as a child.<ref name="jamfeed.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/09/30-things-i-learned-from-reading-weet-jone-pimp-cs-trill-life-story/|title=30 Things I Learned From Reading '$weet Jone$: Pimp C's Trill Life Story'|date=September 10, 2015|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204000158/http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/09/30-things-i-learned-from-reading-weet-jone-pimp-cs-trill-life-story/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He released his debut solo album, ''The Sweet James Jones Stories'', in March ] through ]. Bun B and Rap-a-Lot records had waged a 'Free Pimp C' movement, spread through music, Free Pimp C t-shirts and caps.<ref></ref>


As the son of a trumpet player, Butler had an interest in music since childhood: "I come from a classical background, I came up singing ], ], and shit of that nature." Even before studying ] in school, he learned to play many instruments by ear, including piano, trumpet, drums and flugelhorn. His vocal style was once described as "high-voiced, unstable and provocateur, as likely to slap your face as to sing you a love song." Influenced by ], he started ] beats to rap over after receiving a ] and ] one Christmas.<ref name=chicago>{{cite book |last=Westoff |first=Ben |title=Dirty South: OutKast, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and the Southern Rappers Who Reinvented Hip-Hop |date=2011 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |isbn=978-1569766064 |page=72 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pgc6mAEACAAJ |access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref>
In 2007 Pimp C released a DVD along with Pimpin Ken called "The Best of Both Worlds."


Butler joined the choir as a teenager and played numerous instruments at school, and after being encouraged by his stepfather Bill Monroe, began writing and creating his own music. Butler was particularly interested in the emerging ] genre as a child, and soon bonded and became friends with Bernard "]" Freeman over their shared passion for music.<ref name="boxden.com"/>
===Death===
On ], ], Pimp C was found dead at the ] in ], after ] responded to a 911 call. They arrived to his sixth floor hotel room to find him dead in bed. This was three days after he performed with ] at the ] in Los Angeles.<ref></ref><ref></ref>


==Career==
The Los Angeles coroner's office revealed on ] that it will take another two weeks before the cause of death is known.<ref></ref> pimp c died of aids he also had herpes that he didn't tell bun b
===UGK===
====Early career (1987–1996)====
{{Main|UGK}}
Butler formed the rap group ] (often referred to as UGK) with friend Bernard "]" Freeman in 1987 in ].<ref name="ksanneh">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/arts/music/05pimpc.html|title=Pimp C, Southern Hip-Hop Rapper, Dies at 33|first=Kelefa|last=Sanneh|work=]|date=December 5, 2007}}</ref><ref>Jayson Rodriguez, ], December 6, 2007.</ref> Initially signed to independent label Big Tyme Recordz, the duo released two EPs, '']'' and '']'', in 1992 to moderate local success, which lead to the group being signed to ] later that year. In November, they released their major label debut, '']'' through Jive, which peaked at #37 on the US ] chart.<ref name="vh1.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961219215429/http://vh1.com/|url-status=live|archive-date=December 19, 1996|title=New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture|website=VH1}}</ref><ref name="UGK allmusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p133449/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=UGK – Biography|last=Bush|first=John|year=2007|publisher=allmusic|access-date=2009-05-02}}</ref><ref name="Rapreviews.com"/><ref name="Leo Stanley"/>

UGK's second album, '']'' was released in 1994 to critical acclaim and commercial success, charting at #95 on the ] and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 1996, UGK's third album, '']'', became their most successful, reaching #2 on the ''Billboard'' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #15 on the Billboard 200, receiving widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, having sold 850,000 copies to date.<ref name="vh1.com"/><ref name="UGK allmusic"/><ref name="Rapreviews.com"/><ref name="Leo Stanley"/>

====Hiatus and national attention (1996–2001)====
After taking a short hiatus from music in the late 1990s, UGK returned in 2000, appearing on ]'s smash hit single "]", which peaked at #18 on the ], as well as "]" by ], which peaked at #30 on the US ]. Both of these collaborations greatly increased the duo's reputation, and helped fuel anticipation for their next project. Jive Records failed to capitalize on this new-found interest in UGK, as their fourth album, '']'', was released in 2001 with little to no advertisement or promotion.

====Prison sentence and solo career (2002–2006)====
After Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison in August 2002, UGK was once again forced to go on hiatus, which led to both members pursuing solo careers. Pimp C's debut studio album, The '']'' was released in March 2005, composed of material recorded prior to Pimp C's incarceration. After being released from prison in December 2005, Pimp C released his second solo studio album '']'' in July 2006 and peaked at #3 on the US ] and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

====UGK Reunited====
On August 7, 2007, UGK reunited to release their ], debuting at #1 on both the Billboard 200 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts. The album was the last UGK album released during Pimp C's lifetime, and spawned the hit single "]", and received universal acclaim from critics.<ref>{{cite web|first=David |last=Jeffries |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/underground-kingz-mw0000445788 |title=Underground Kingz - UGK |publisher=AllMusic |date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Schonberger |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/08/03/underground-kingz/ |title=Underground Kingz Review |publisher=EW.com |date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/music/cdreviews/5034476.html |title=The latest by UGK puts duo in rapper royalty |publisher=Chron.com |date=August 8, 2007 |access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2007_08F_undergroundkingz.html |title=Feature for August 7, 2007 - UGK's "Underground Kingz" |publisher=Rapreviews.com |date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/arts/music/07sann.html |title=Pimp C - Bun B - UGK - Music - New York Times |website=] |date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=May 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829045743/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/arts/music/07sann.html |archive-date=August 29, 2011 }}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Butler married his wife, Chinara, while he was in prison in 2003.<ref name="boxden.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/2016/11/2/20817553/exclusive-pimp-c-s-wife-speaks-on-the-struggles-of-being-a-widow-in-hip-hop|title=Exclusive: Pimp C's wife speaks on the struggles of being a widow in hip-hop|first=Nadine|last=Graham|date=November 2, 2016|website=REVOLT}}</ref> They had one child together, a daughter named Christian, and he had two older sons, Chad Lamont Butler II and Dahcory Butler, both of whom were born in previous relationships.
Butler was sentenced to eight years in ] on ], ] for failing to complete a ] requirement stemming from an ] charge.


==Legal issues==
He was released on Friday, ], ] from the Terrell Prison Unit in ] after serving about half of his eight-year sentence. He was to be on ] until December of 2009.<ref></ref>
On December 16, 2000, Butler was arrested in ]'s ] after allegedly holding a woman, Lakita Hulett, at gunpoint and threatening to shoot her after a confrontation in a shoe store. After both Butler and Hulett had exchanged words in the store, Hulett alleged that Butler pushed a gun into her side and said, "Bitch, I'll shoot you," before she ran away and informed police. Butler claimed he simply lifted his jacket to show the gun and did not remove it from his waistband.<ref name="Beverly">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/65zwjx/pimp-c-prisons-excerpt|title=The Story of How Pimp C Ended up in Prison|first=Julia|last=Beverly|date=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Pimp C allmusic"/><ref name="mtv.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1517515/ugks-pimp-c-to-be-released-from-prison-within-a-month/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915120606/http://www.mtv.com/news/1517515/ugks-pimp-c-to-be-released-from-prison-within-a-month/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2014|title=UGK's Pimp C To Be Released From Prison Within A Month|website=MTV News}}</ref>


As Butler attempted to exit the mall and enter his car, numerous officers surrounded him and instructed him to surrender. Butler ignored the orders and was forced to the ground by officers, who handcuffed him and brought him back into the mall. Shortly after, Butler was transported to Houston Central Jail where he was charged with ] with a deadly weapon. Butler claimed police used excessive force to restrain him, and alleged they knocked him unconscious twice and refused to let doctors at a local hospital perform a routine ], instead transporting him straight to jail.<ref name="Beverly"/><ref name="Pimp C allmusic"/><ref name="mtv.com"/>
He was treated for minor injuries on ], ], after he was involved in a car accident while leaving the video shoot for his single "Pourin' Up."<ref></ref> A Port Arthur Police officer that was escorting the rappers responded to gunfire and pursued the shooters. As the suspects fled through local neighborhoods on a flat tire, they crossed over Gulf Way Drive, ran a red light and struck Butler's Bentley at high speed. He was treated for minor injuries and released. A Rap-A-Lot security guard also spent time in the hospital before making a full recovery.

Butler posted $10,000 bail the following day and was initially sentenced to probation after pleading no contest in early 2001. He was sent back to prison in January 2002 after failing to report to his probation officer on several occasions, failing to keep up with his community service hours or pay outstanding court fees, as well as testing positive twice for marijuana. On August 5, 2002, Butler was sentenced to eight years in prison.<ref name="Beverly"/><ref name="Pimp C allmusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p114577/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Pimp C > Biography|last=Jeffries|first=David|year=2007|publisher=allmusic|access-date=2009-05-02}}</ref><ref name="mtv.com"/>

His arrest was widely protested by the hip-hop community, who along with Bun B immediately initiated a grassroots "Free Pimp C" campaign.<ref name="Obituary AP">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/News/Obituary/article/282767|title=Chad Butler, 33: Rap musician known as Pimp C|last=Pearson|first=Ryan|date=2007-12-05|work=Toronto Star|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2009-05-02}}</ref> Butler spent the later portion of his sentence at the ] in ] and was transferred to the ] a week prior to his release.<ref>"." '']''. Friday December 20, 2005. Retrieved on November 19, 2010.</ref> On December 30, 2005, Butler was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/rapper-pimp-c-released-prison-wbna10653665|title=Rapper Pimp C released from prison|agency=Associated Press|work=Today.com|date=2005-12-30}}</ref>

==Death==
In early December 2007, Butler had been staying at the ] in ], where he had been working on new music and performing with ]. On the morning of December 4, 2007, he was scheduled to fly back home, where his wife, Chinara, was waiting with his cousin Ed at the airport to pick him up. After not hearing from him the morning of the scheduled flight, his wife called the hotel and requested that they check on him. Hotel staff discovered Butler unresponsive in his hotel room, where paramedics pronounced him dead shortly after. He was 33 years old.<ref name="boxden.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F4fQy0Rc6Q| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/7F4fQy0Rc6Q| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|title='Long Live the Pimp': A Documentary on the Life and Legacy of Pimp C - Complex|last=Complex|date=4 April 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="ksanneh"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=chad-lamont-butler&pid=99446736&preview=false|title=Chad Butler Obituary - Houston, TX &#124; Houston Chronicle|website=]}}</ref>

The coroner's report ruled that Butler's death was accidental, attributing it to the effects of his heavy usage of "]", a combination of ] and ], in conjunction with his pre-existing condition of ].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.museumofthegulfcoast.org/ugk|title=UGK|work=Museum of the Gulf Coast|access-date=June 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>Winton, Richard. "", ''The LA Times'' Feb 5, 2008; accessed 11 Aug 2016</ref> Like many other Southern rappers, Butler referred to lean many times in his music.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5515791.html|title=Cough syrup found in Pimp C's hotel had no label|last=Rieken|first=Kristie|date=2008-02-05|work=Houston Chronicle|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2009-05-02}}</ref>

According to ] of ], Butler's manager Rick Martin described seeing the rapper's body "] but there was blood around like he was shot. They thought he was shot in the head, but they didn't know what the hell happened because there was blood everywhere. They thought he was shot. He was knelt down like he was praying and the candles were all the way burnt down, so they knew he'd probably been dead for a day or so because he always lit those candles to sleep. He lit those big tall candles and they had been burnt down so he probably was dead for a while."<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq0p2Z1WkhY| title = DJ Paul Recalls Working With Pimp C Right Before He Passed Away | website=]| date = 22 May 2015 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Butler's body was transported back to his hometown of ], where his funeral was held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center on December 13, 2007.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1576462/pimp-c-is-given-uplifting-heartfelt-farewell-at-funeral/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508071820/http://www.mtv.com/news/1576462/pimp-c-is-given-uplifting-heartfelt-farewell-at-funeral/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2014|title=Pimp C is Given Uplifting, Heartfelt Farewell at Funeral|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|work=MTV.com|date=December 13, 2007|access-date=June 9, 2017}}</ref> Port Arthur mayor Deloris Prince, Butler's mother Weslyn Monroe, and Bun B were among the speakers at the service.<ref name="MTV"/> He was buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park in ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/chad-butler-obituary?id=25846956 | title=Chad Butler Obituary (2007) - Houston, TX - Houston Chronicle | website=] }}</ref>

===Tributes===
Numerous rappers paid tribute to Butler in the wake of his passing. Bun B honored his cohort on songs such as "You're Everything" and "Pop It 4 Pimp" on his 2008 album '']'', while UGK's final album, '']'', was released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stolz|first=Kim|title=UGK's Last Album An 'Emotional Experience' After Pimp C's Death|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606120/20090302/ugk.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306075013/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606120/20090302/ugk.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2009|publisher=MTV News|date=March 2, 2009|access-date=May 16, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bun B Brings 'Em Out at II Trill Listening Session in NYC|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/03/05/bun-b-brings-em-out-at-ii-trill-listening-session-in-nyc/|work=MTV Newsroom|publisher=MTV News|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=May 16, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714133158/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/03/05/bun-b-brings-em-out-at-ii-trill-listening-session-in-nyc/|archive-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> ] released a tribute song, "RIP Pimp C", two days after Butler's death,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Lil-Flip-pens-tribute-to-Houston-rapper-Pimp-C-1596564.php|title=Lil' Flip pens tribute to Houston rapper Pimp C|newspaper=Chron |date=6 December 2007}}</ref> and in 2008, Lil Wayne released a single titled “Me and My Drank”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Lil-wayne-me-and-my-drank-lyrics|title =Me and My Drank}}</ref> ] has cited Pimp C as one of his major influences,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-aap-rocky-pay-tribute-to-pimp-c-in-multiply-video-200863/|title=A$AP ROCKY Pays Tribute to Pimp C in 'Multiply' Video|first=Kory|last=Grow|magazine=]|date=3 October 2014}}</ref> while ] titled her 2018 EP '']'' after Butler's ] Tony Snow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/08/30/megan-thee-stallion-tina-snow-interview|title=Meet the electrifying Megan Thee Stallion|website=The FADER|language=en|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref>


==Discography== ==Discography==
{{Main list|Pimp C discography}}
===Solo albums===
{{See also|UGK discography}}
*2005: '']''
'''Studio albums'''
*2006: '']'' #3 US Gold, U.S. Sales: 372,000 – Worldwide Sales: 399,900
* '']'' (2005)
* '']'' (2006)


'''Posthumous studio albums'''
===Solo singles===
* '']'' (2010)
* ]: "I'm Free"
* '']'' (2011)
* ]: "Pourin' Up" <small>(featuring ] & ])</small>
* '']'' (2015)
* ]: "]" <small>(featuring P.O.P. & ])</small>

==Documentaries==
*''Pimpalation - Return of the Trill'' Rap-A-Lot/Wood Wheel Records/REL Entertainment (2006)
*''The Final Chapter'' Rap-A-Lot/Wood Wheel Records/REL Entertainment (2008)


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Portal|Texas|Biography}}
* *
* {{IMDb name|id=0124853}}


{{Pimp C}}
<!-- Metadata: see ] -->
{{UGK}}
{{Persondata

|NAME = Pimp C
{{Authority control}}
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Butler, Chad
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Rap artist
|DATE OF BIRTH = ], ]
|PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ]
|DATE OF DEATH = ], ]
|PLACE OF DEATH = ], ]
}}


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Latest revision as of 23:21, 13 December 2024

American rapper (1973–2007) "Chad Butler" redirects here. For the member of the band Switchfoot, see Switchfoot.
Pimp C
Pimp C in 2006Pimp C in 2006
Background information
Birth nameChad Lamont Butler
Also known as
  • Sweet James Jones
  • Tony Snow
  • Percy Mack
  • Jack Tripper
Born(1973-12-29)December 29, 1973
Crowley, Louisiana, U.S.
OriginPort Arthur, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 4, 2007(2007-12-04) (aged 33)
West Hollywood, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1987–2007
Labels
Musical artist

Chad Lamont Butler (December 29, 1973 – December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper and record producer. He was best known for his work with Bun B as one half of the hip-hop duo Underground Kingz (UGK).

Signing to Jive in 1992, UGK released their major-label debut studio album Too Hard to Swallow to critical acclaim. The group followed this with their second and third major-label albums Super Tight in 1994 and Ridin' Dirty in 1996, both of which charted in the Billboard 200 to further success. The group received national attention in 2000 after being featured on Jay-Z's hit single "Big Pimpin'", which peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Rhythmic Top 40.

The group went on hiatus for the first half of the 2000s after Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for a probation violation. During this time both members pursued solo careers, with Pimp C releasing his solo debut, The Sweet James Jones Stories, in 2005, composed of material recorded prior to his sentencing. After being released from prison in December 2005, he released his second solo album, Pimpalation, in 2006. UGK released their eponymous fifth studio album in 2007, which spawned the single "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)" featuring OutKast, which peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room on December 4, 2007, with a coroner's report attributing his death to complications stemming from heavy consumption of lean and his pre-existing condition of sleep apnea.

Early life

Chad Lamont Butler was born December 29, 1973, in Crowley, Louisiana, but was raised in Port Arthur, Texas. Butler was the only child of Charleston Butler and Weslyn "Mama Wes" Butler Jacob Monroe. Butler was born prematurely and had numerous health issues, including a birth defect that caused his legs to point inward, which required braces to fix. He also had to be propped up when he slept due to digestive problems. His eyesight was poor, and he almost went blind after a severe bout of pinkeye. Butler also had pneumonia at least nine times as a child.

As the son of a trumpet player, Butler had an interest in music since childhood: "I come from a classical background, I came up singing Italian sonnets, Negro spirituals, and shit of that nature." Even before studying musical notation in school, he learned to play many instruments by ear, including piano, trumpet, drums and flugelhorn. His vocal style was once described as "high-voiced, unstable and provocateur, as likely to slap your face as to sing you a love song." Influenced by Run-DMC, he started synthesizing beats to rap over after receiving a drum machine and keyboard one Christmas.

Butler joined the choir as a teenager and played numerous instruments at school, and after being encouraged by his stepfather Bill Monroe, began writing and creating his own music. Butler was particularly interested in the emerging hip hop genre as a child, and soon bonded and became friends with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman over their shared passion for music.

Career

UGK

Early career (1987–1996)

Main article: UGK

Butler formed the rap group Underground Kingz (often referred to as UGK) with friend Bernard "Bun B" Freeman in 1987 in Port Arthur, Texas. Initially signed to independent label Big Tyme Recordz, the duo released two EPs, The Southern Way and Banned, in 1992 to moderate local success, which lead to the group being signed to Jive Records later that year. In November, they released their major label debut, Too Hard to Swallow through Jive, which peaked at #37 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

UGK's second album, Super Tight was released in 1994 to critical acclaim and commercial success, charting at #95 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 1996, UGK's third album, Ridin' Dirty, became their most successful, reaching #2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #15 on the Billboard 200, receiving widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, having sold 850,000 copies to date.

Hiatus and national attention (1996–2001)

After taking a short hiatus from music in the late 1990s, UGK returned in 2000, appearing on Jay-Z's smash hit single "Big Pimpin'", which peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200, as well as "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia, which peaked at #30 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Both of these collaborations greatly increased the duo's reputation, and helped fuel anticipation for their next project. Jive Records failed to capitalize on this new-found interest in UGK, as their fourth album, Dirty Money, was released in 2001 with little to no advertisement or promotion.

Prison sentence and solo career (2002–2006)

After Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison in August 2002, UGK was once again forced to go on hiatus, which led to both members pursuing solo careers. Pimp C's debut studio album, The Sweet James Jones Stories was released in March 2005, composed of material recorded prior to Pimp C's incarceration. After being released from prison in December 2005, Pimp C released his second solo studio album Pimpalation in July 2006 and peaked at #3 on the US Billboard 200 and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

UGK Reunited

On August 7, 2007, UGK reunited to release their eponymous fifth studio album, debuting at #1 on both the Billboard 200 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts. The album was the last UGK album released during Pimp C's lifetime, and spawned the hit single "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)", and received universal acclaim from critics.

Personal life

Butler married his wife, Chinara, while he was in prison in 2003. They had one child together, a daughter named Christian, and he had two older sons, Chad Lamont Butler II and Dahcory Butler, both of whom were born in previous relationships.

Legal issues

On December 16, 2000, Butler was arrested in Houston's Sharpstown Mall after allegedly holding a woman, Lakita Hulett, at gunpoint and threatening to shoot her after a confrontation in a shoe store. After both Butler and Hulett had exchanged words in the store, Hulett alleged that Butler pushed a gun into her side and said, "Bitch, I'll shoot you," before she ran away and informed police. Butler claimed he simply lifted his jacket to show the gun and did not remove it from his waistband.

As Butler attempted to exit the mall and enter his car, numerous officers surrounded him and instructed him to surrender. Butler ignored the orders and was forced to the ground by officers, who handcuffed him and brought him back into the mall. Shortly after, Butler was transported to Houston Central Jail where he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Butler claimed police used excessive force to restrain him, and alleged they knocked him unconscious twice and refused to let doctors at a local hospital perform a routine CT scan, instead transporting him straight to jail.

Butler posted $10,000 bail the following day and was initially sentenced to probation after pleading no contest in early 2001. He was sent back to prison in January 2002 after failing to report to his probation officer on several occasions, failing to keep up with his community service hours or pay outstanding court fees, as well as testing positive twice for marijuana. On August 5, 2002, Butler was sentenced to eight years in prison.

His arrest was widely protested by the hip-hop community, who along with Bun B immediately initiated a grassroots "Free Pimp C" campaign. Butler spent the later portion of his sentence at the Terrell Unit in Brazoria County, Texas and was transferred to the Huntsville Unit a week prior to his release. On December 30, 2005, Butler was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2009.

Death

In early December 2007, Butler had been staying at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California, where he had been working on new music and performing with Too $hort. On the morning of December 4, 2007, he was scheduled to fly back home, where his wife, Chinara, was waiting with his cousin Ed at the airport to pick him up. After not hearing from him the morning of the scheduled flight, his wife called the hotel and requested that they check on him. Hotel staff discovered Butler unresponsive in his hotel room, where paramedics pronounced him dead shortly after. He was 33 years old.

The coroner's report ruled that Butler's death was accidental, attributing it to the effects of his heavy usage of "lean", a combination of codeine and promethazine, in conjunction with his pre-existing condition of sleep apnea. Like many other Southern rappers, Butler referred to lean many times in his music.

According to DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, Butler's manager Rick Martin described seeing the rapper's body "laying down like he was praying but there was blood around like he was shot. They thought he was shot in the head, but they didn't know what the hell happened because there was blood everywhere. They thought he was shot. He was knelt down like he was praying and the candles were all the way burnt down, so they knew he'd probably been dead for a day or so because he always lit those candles to sleep. He lit those big tall candles and they had been burnt down so he probably was dead for a while."

Butler's body was transported back to his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas, where his funeral was held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center on December 13, 2007. Port Arthur mayor Deloris Prince, Butler's mother Weslyn Monroe, and Bun B were among the speakers at the service. He was buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Jefferson County.

Tributes

Numerous rappers paid tribute to Butler in the wake of his passing. Bun B honored his cohort on songs such as "You're Everything" and "Pop It 4 Pimp" on his 2008 album II Trill, while UGK's final album, UGK 4 Life, was released in 2009. Lil' Flip released a tribute song, "RIP Pimp C", two days after Butler's death, and in 2008, Lil Wayne released a single titled “Me and My Drank”. A$AP Rocky has cited Pimp C as one of his major influences, while Megan Thee Stallion titled her 2018 EP Tina Snow after Butler's alter ego Tony Snow.

Discography

For a more comprehensive list, see Pimp C discography. See also: UGK discography

Studio albums

Posthumous studio albums

Documentaries

  • Pimpalation - Return of the Trill Rap-A-Lot/Wood Wheel Records/REL Entertainment (2006)
  • The Final Chapter Rap-A-Lot/Wood Wheel Records/REL Entertainment (2008)

References

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  39. "Meet the electrifying Megan Thee Stallion". The FADER. Retrieved 2019-08-28.

External links

Pimp C
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UGK
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