Pimp C
| Pimp C | |
|---|---|
 Pimp C in mid-2006. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chad Lamonte Butler |
| Born | December 29, 1973 Port Arthur, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 4, 2007 (aged 33) Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | Southern hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, Songwriter, Singer Producer |
| Labels | UGK, Rap-a-Lot |
| Associated acts | UGK, Bun B, Too $hort, Jazze Pha, Lil Boosie, Webbie, Chamillionaire, Young Buck |
| Website | www.pimpcmusic.com |
Chad Lamont Butler[1] (December 29, 1973 – December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer. Pimp C was best known for his work with Bun B as a founding member of the Underground Kingz (UGK).
Contents |
Music career [edit]
UGK [edit]
Butler formed the rap group Underground Kingz (colloquially known as UGK) with best friend Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. In 1987, 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,[2] 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 would not release another studio album until 2007's Underground Kingz, which included the hit "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)", featuring Outkast.
Arrest and solo debut [edit]
In January 2002, Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating his probation by ignoring his sentence to community service stemming from an earlier aggravated assault charge.[3] His arrest was widely protested by the hip hop community, who immediately initiated a grassroots "Free Pimp C" campaign.[4] While Pimp C was in prison, Rap-A-Lot Records released Sweet James Jones Stories in 2005, most of which consisted of unreleased freestyle recordings.[3]
Pimp C 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.[5] On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2007.[6]
On July 11, 2006 Pimp C released his debut solo album, Pimpalation.
Death and tributes [edit]
Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles on December 4, 2007. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Butler suffered respiratory depression due to an overdose of promethazine and codeine coupled with a preexisting sleep apnea condition. Like many other Southern rappers, Pimp C frequently referenced the recreational consumption of "syrup" in his music.[7]
The funeral was held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, Texas on December 13, 2007.[8] Port Arthur mayor Deloris Prince, Pimp C's mother Weslyn Monroe, and fellow UGK member Bun B were among the speakers at the service, and the eulogy was delivered by pastor Dr. John R. Adolph. Attendees included many fellow luminaries of the Houston rap scene: Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Willie D, Big Gipp, and Webbie.[9]
Bun B continues to pay tribute to Pimp C through his music, including the tracks "You're Everything," a collaboration with Rick Ross, David Banner, and 8Ball and MJG, and "Pop It 4 Pimp" which was produced by Mouse and featured Juvenile and Webbie[10] off of Bun B's 2008 album II Trill. Bun B released the final UGK album, UGK 4 Life, in 2009. UGK 4 Life had been recorded, for the most part, in the time frame between their previous album and the passing of Pimp C.[11]
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
Studio albums [edit]
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | |||
| 2005 | Sweet James Jones Stories
|
50 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2006 | Pimpalation
|
3 | 1 | 1 |
|
| 2008 | Greatest Hits
|
- | - | - | |
| 2010 | The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones
|
25 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2011 | Still Pimping
|
72 | 15 | 8 | |
Singles [edit]
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | |||
| 2005 | "Is A Playa" (featuring Bun B, Twista, and Z-Ro) | 105 | — | — | Sweet James Jones Stories |
| 2006 | "I'm Free" | — | — | 12 | Pimpalation |
| "Pourin' Up" (featuring Mike Jones and Bun B) | 103 | — | — | ||
| "Knockin' Doorz Down" (featuring P.O.P. and Lil' Keke) | 108 | — | — | ||
Featured singles [edit]
| Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | |||
| 1997 | "I Miss My Homies" (Master P featuring Silkk the Shocker and Pimp C) | 25 | 16 | 2 | Ghetto D |
| 1998 | "Ghetto Life" (Master P featuring Bun B and Pimp C) | — | — | — | Da Last Don |
| 2006 | "Get Throwed" (Bun B featuring Jay-Z, Pimp C, Z-Ro, and Young Jeezy) | — | 49 | 24 | Trill |
| "Swang" (Trae featuring Pimp C, Fat Pat and Big Hawk) | — | — | — | Restless | |
| "Love Song" (Missez featuring Pimp C) | — | 53 | — | Single Only | |
| "D-Girl (DopeGirl)" (Brooke Valentine featuring Pimp C) | — | 92 | — | Single Only | |
| Unreleased | "Naked Lady" (Chamillionaire featuring Pimp C) | — | — | — | Unknown |
Guest appearances [edit]
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Quit Hatin’ Pt. 2" | Too $hort, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz | What's My Favorite Word? |
| 2005 | "Get Throwed" | Bun B, Z-Ro, Young Jeezy, Jay-Z | Trill |
| 2006 | "Make It Home" | Young Buck, 615 | Welcome To The Traphouse |
| "4 Corner" | Bow Wow, Lil Scrappy, Lil Wayne, Short Dawg | The Price of Fame | |
| "Money Maker" | Too $hort, Rick Ross | Blow the Whistle | |
| "Fuck You" | Lil Boosie, Webbie | Bad Azz | |
| 2007 | "4 Kings" | Young Buck, Young Jeezy, T.I. | Buck the World |
| "Murder'ra" | Z-Ro, Spice 1, Vicious | King of tha Ghetto: Power | |
| "Welcome to the South" | Chamillionaire | Ultimate Victory | |
| 2008 | "Underground Thang" | Bun B, Chamillionaire | II Trill |
| "Fly As An Eagle" | Webbie, Foxx | Savage Life 2 | |
| "Top Notch" | Z-Ro | Crack | |
| 2010 | "Right Now" | Bun B, 2Pac, Trey Songz | Trill OG |
| 2012 | "P.I.M.P.S." | T.I. | Fuck da City Up |
| 2012 | Gossip | Big Boi, Bun B, & Big K.R.I.T. | Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors |
Music videos [edit]
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Pourin' Up" | Mr. Boomtown |
| 2007 | "Knockin' Doorz Down" | Benny Matthews |
References [edit]
- ^ "Port Arthur News Obituaries: 2007". Port Arthur Public Library. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ Bush, John (2007). "UGK - Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ a b Jeffries, David (2007). "Pimp C > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ Pearson, Ryan (2007-12-05). "Chad Butler, 33: Rap musician known as Pimp C". Toronto Star. Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ "Rapper Pimp C released from prison." KTRK-TV. Friday December 20, 2005. Retrieved on November 19, 2010.
- ^ "Rapper Pimp C released from prison". MSNBC. Associated Press. 2005-12-30.
- ^ Rieken, Kristie (2008-02-05). "Cough syrup found in Pimp C's hotel had no label". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ "Dec 13 - OBITUARY for: Mr. Chad Lamont Butler"Pimp C"". Slumz.boxden.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (December 13, 2007). "Pimp C Is Given Uplifting, Heartfelt Farewell At Funeral". MTV News. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Bun B Brings 'Em Out at II Trill Listening Session in NYC". MTV Newsroom. MTV News. March 5, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ Stolz, Kim (March 2, 2009). "UGK's Last Album An 'Emotional Experience' After Pimp C's Death". MTV News. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
External links [edit]
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- 1973 births
- 2007 deaths
- Accidental deaths in California
- African-American rappers
- American people convicted of assault
- Asylum Records artists
- Drug-related deaths in California
- People from Port Arthur, Texas
- Rappers from Houston, Texas
- Screwed Up Click members
- Deaths from heart failure
- Southern hip hop musicians
