Rapper Pimp C found dead

Posted on 12.5.2007

Rapper Pimp C found dead

Texas rapper Chad "Pimp C" Butler, a member of the chart-topping duo UGK (Underground Kingz), died in a Los Angeles hotel room on Tuesday, officials said. He was 33.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said detectives were investigating the death of a "male black adult" at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. The cause of death was unknown.

Butler’s Jive Records label issued a statement mourning "the unexpected loss." It did not indicate what had happened leading up to his death. A spokeswoman said no one had any details.

Jive Records Statement Regarding UGK’s Pimp C

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.

UPDATE:
Coroner: Pimp C May Have Died of Natural Causes

Capt. Ed Winter of the L.A. County Coroner’s office tells TMZ that it appears as though rapper Pimp C died of natural causes in a Hollywood hotel room today.

We’re told no drug paraphernalia or other drugs were found in the room. The rapper, we’ve learned, was found fully clothed on top of the bed. He did not seem to have fallen or injured himself and he was positioned on his side.

Winter said it did not appear that there was anyone else in the room at the time of his death. An autopsy will be performed and toxicology test results will be available in six to eight weeks.

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