Pimp C
Pimp C |
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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. He was one half of the influential hip hop group UGK, along with Bun B.
Music career
UGK
With best friend Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, Butler formed the rap group Underground Kingz, colloquially known as UGK. 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 Sizzurp" 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 2004: Side Hustles and the eponymous Underground Kingz, the latter of which spawned the hit single "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)", a collaboration with the Georgia-based rap group OutKast.
Arrest and solo debut
In 2002, Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating his probation he had received from an earlier aggravated gun 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 was incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system beginning in January 2002. He spent the later portion of his sentence at the Terrell Unit in Brazoria County, Texas. On the week of his release, he was transported to the Huntsville Unit in preparation for release.[5] On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2009.[6]
Death and tributes
Pimp C died on December 4, 2007. He was found dead in a hotel room in Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Butler suffered respiratory depression due to an accidental overdose of promethazine and codeine (in the cough syrup ingredient of Purple drank) coupled with a preexisting sleep apnea condition. Like many other Southern rappers, Pimp C frequently referenced the recreational consumption of "sizzurp" in his music.[7] A funeral was held for him at the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, Texas on December 13. Speakers included Port Arthur mayor Deloris Prince, Pimp C's mother Weslyn Monroe, and fellow UGK member Bun B. Pastor Dr. John R. Randolph gave the eulogy.[8]
Bun B continued paying tribute to Pimp C through music, including the tracks "You're Everything" which included collaboration from Rick Ross, David Banner, and 8Ball and MJG, and "Pop It 4 Pimp" which was produced by Mouse and featured Juvenile and Webbie.[9] off of Bun B's 2008 album II Trill. "Pop It 4 Pimp" was 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.[10]
Macklemore made a tribute song to Pimp C and the abuse of cough syrup, especially "purple drank," called "Otherside".[11]
During Drake's verse in Bun B's "Put It Down" music video, Pimp C's oldest son Chad Butler II climbing a set of stairs but the video does not show his face. The chorus and last line of Drake's verse also reference Pimp C. [12]
Discography
- 2005: Sweet James Jones Stories
- 2006: Pimpalation
- 2008: Greatest Hits
- 2010: The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones
Albums
Studio albums
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 | Gold
|
2008 | Greatest Hits
|
- | - | - |
|
2010 | The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones
|
25 | 8 | 5
|
Singles
Year | Title | Chart 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
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 |
"Love Song" (Missez featuring Pimp C) | — | 53 | — | Single Only | |
"D-Girl (DopeGirl)" (Brooke Valentine featuring Pimp C) | — | 92 | — | Single Only | |
2009 | "Top Notch" (Z-Ro featuring Pimp C) | — | — | — | Crack |
2010 | "Right Now" (Bun B featuring Pimp C, 2Pac & Trey Songz) | — | — | — | Trill O.G. |
Unreleased | "Naked Lady" (Chamillionaire featuring Pimp C) | — | — | — | Unknown |
Music videos
Year | Title | Director |
---|---|---|
2006 | "Pourin' Up" | Mr. Boomtown |
2007 | "Knockin' Doorz Down" | Benny Matthews |
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Macklemore - Otherside".
- ^ "Bun B - Put It Down Music Video".
http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-Pimp-C/dp/B0015I2P6I
External links
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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
- Rappers from Texas