Houston Hip Hop

Chad Lamont Butler (December 29, 1973 — December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper and producer. Pimp C was one part of the influential hip-hop group UnderGround Kingz aka UGK , along with Bun B.

Early life
Butler was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. His father, who played trumpet professionally with Solomon Burke, showed Butler to a variety of music throughout his youth. Butler studied classical music while in high school, and, as a testament to his singing ability, Butler also received a Division I rating on a tenor solo at a University Interscholastic League choir competition. He began to be interested in hip-hop when a friend of his gave him a Run-DMC album.

Music career
UGK
Main article: UGK
With best friend Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, Butler formed the rap group Underground Kingz, colloquially known as UGK. In 1992, Jive Records signed UGK and released Too Hard to Swallow, followed by the critically acclaimed Super Tight. The group’s third album, Ridin’ Dirty, reached #2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and their momentum was continued with features on the popular singles “Big Pimpin’” with Jay-Z and “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” by Three 6 Mafia. UGK’s fourth album, Dirty Money, was distributed in 2001.

Due to Butler’s incarceration in 2002, UGK only released two projects prior to 2009: Side Hustles and the eponymous Underground Kingz, the latter of which spawned the hit single “International Player’s Anthem (I Choose You)”, a collaboration with Atlanta’s OutKast.

[edit] Arrest and solo debut
In 2002, Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating his probation.[6] His arrest was widely protested by the hip-hop community, who immediately initiated a grassroots “Free Pimp C” campaign.[3] While Pimp C was in prison, Jive released Sweet James Jones Stories in 2005, most of which consisted of unreleased freestyle recordings.[6] On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2009.[7]

Death
Pimp C died on December 4, 2007. He was found face down on his bed. Asleep next to him was girlfriend Samantha Huerta. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Butler suffered respiratory depression caused by an accidental overdose of promethazine and codeine cough syrup coupled with a preexisting sleep apnea condition. Like many other Southern rappers, Pimp C frequently referenced the recreational consumption of “sizzurp” in his music.

 Legacy
Pimp C undoubtedly played a huge role in shaping the Houston rapping style. His contemporaries often reference his contributions to the Houston rap scene as indelible. He has always been an UnderGroundKing.

After his death, Pimp C made posthumous appearances on several Bun B’s song “Underground Thang” (also featuring fellow Houston rapper Chamillionaire) from II Trill and much later, the track “Naked Lady” which is to be featured on Chamillionaire’s third album Venom (coming march 2010) . The latter track was produced by Pimp C, marking his final production credit.

Bun B dedicated the final UGK album, UGK 4 Life, to Pimp C’s memory.

Outkast Ft. UGK – International Players Anthem Official Video

Try our new player

UGK (Underground Kingz) – Da Game Been Good To Me Directed by Todd Angkasuwan

Pimp C interview

PIMP C SPEAKS HIS MIND ABOUT THE DOPE GAME AND RAPPERS! CALLS OUT YOUNG JEEZY AND YOUNG BUCK

ONE OF MY FAVORITE UGK SONGS “POCKET FULL OF STONES”

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