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Chad Butler (December 29, 1973 – December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper. He was part of the "Dirty South"-style rap group UGK.
Biography
Career
After signing with Jive Records in the early '90s, their initial 'success' was largely limited to fans of the Dirty South genre and the hip hop music press. However, a prominent guest appearance on Jay-Z's hit single "Big Pimpin'" in 2000 (and later, Three 6 Mafia's "Sippin' on Some Syrup"), gave UGK 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 also worked with Celly Cel, C-Bo, Spice 1 and Devin the Dude on a couple of projects. He invested in and endorsed Trill Entertainment in 2001 for its label launch. Pimp C stated that he would be releasing an album alongside rapper Too $hort, during his appearance on the show "Sucker Free" on MTV. Rolling Stone named "I'm Free" (Pimpalation) as #80 on its list of 100 best songs of 2006.
On August 15, 2006, 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. He released his debut solo album, The Sweet James Jones Stories, in March 2005 through Rap-A-Lot Records. Bun B and Rap-a-Lot records had waged a 'Free Pimp C' movement, spread through music, Free Pimp C t-shirts and caps.
In 2007 Pimp C released a DVD along with Pimpin Ken called "The Best of Both Worlds."
Death
On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California, after Los Angeles County Fire Department 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 Too $hort at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.
On February 4, 2008, the Insite received a call from the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. Officials there say the Houston rapper died from an overdose of Promethazine/Codeine "syrup" mixed with a pre-existing medical condition called sleep apnea, which causes a person to stop breathing during sleep. An overdose of this mixture also allegedly caused the death of Houston producer DJ Screw. The death was ruled an accident.
Personal life
Butler was sentenced to eight years in prison on January 28, 2002 for failing to complete a community service requirement stemming from an aggravated assault charge.
He was released on Friday, December 30, 2005 from the Terrell Prison Unit in Rosharon, Texas after serving about half of his eight-year sentence. He was to be on parole until December of 2009.
He was treated for minor injuries on April 18, 2006, after he was involved in a car accident while leaving the video shoot for his single "Pourin' Up." 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.
Discography
Solo albums
- 2005: Sweet James Jones Stories
- 2006: Pimpalation #3 US Gold, U.S. Sales: 372,000 – Worldwide Sales: 399,900
Solo singles
- 2006: "I'm Free"
- 2006: "Pourin' Up" (featuring Mike Jones & Bun B)
- 2006: "Knockin' Doorz Down" (featuring P.O.P. & Lil Keke)
References
- SOHH.com - Pimp C Free In Time To Celebrate B-Day (December 29, 2005)
- TMZ.com - Rapper Pimp C Found Dead in Hollywood Hotel Room (December 4, 2007)
- BillBoard.com - Report: UGK Rapper Pimp C Found Dead In L.A. (December 4, 2007)
- SoundSlam.com: Coroner Notes On Pimp C's Death
- HHWorlds.com - Breaking News: Pimp C Death Attributed To Accidental Overdose
- Cough syrup found in Pimp C's hotel had no label
- msnbc.com - Rapper Pimp C released from prison (December 30, 2005)
- SOHH.com - Pimp C Released From Hospital Following Car Accident (April 21, 2006)