It's nearly two decades since the Hip-Hop community lost Pimp C.
On December 4, 2007, Chad "Pimp C" Butler passed away in his room at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. According to the New York Times, the revered rapper and producer was found unresponsive by hotel staff after his wife, Chinara, asked them to do a courtesy check on him. He was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived on the scene. He was only 33 at the time. The Los Angeles Coroner's Office ruled his death an accident after they discovered a fatal mixture of promethazine, codeine and other unestablished factors, per the Los Angeles Times.
Butler had always had an interest in music dating back to his childhood. Yet his true claim to fame in the music industry happened when he formed the infamous rap duo Underground Kingz (UGK) with his friend Bun B. They dropped two EP's together before they released their major label debut Too Hard To Swallow via Jive Records in 1992. They delivered two more albums Super Tight (1994) and Ridin' Dirty (1996) before they went on hiatus in the late 1990s.
The duo made an incredible comeback in 2000 when they hopped on JAY-Z's smash hit "Big Pimpin'" and Three 6 Mafia's "Sippin' On Some Syrup." Unfortunately, Butler was sent to prison in 2002 due to a probation violation, which forced the duo to pursue solo careers. During his incarceration, Pimp C's debut solo album Sweet James Jones Stories was released in 2005 via Rap-A-Lot/Asylum/Atlantic Records. Following his release, Pimp C dropped his second solo LP Pimpalation in 2006.
UGK reunited for its fifth album Underground Kingz in August 2007. The album debuted a No. 1 on several charts thanks, in part, to their unforgettable hit "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)" featuring OutKast. It was the final album to drop while Pimp C was alive. He passed away four months later. Since his death, Pimp C has been honored by a slew of Houston natives including Bun B and most recently Megan Thee Stallion. She included a posthumous verse from the late rapper in her song "Paper Together" from her recent album MEGAN. The song was blessed by both Bun B and Butler's widow.
Pimp C was survived by his wife Chinara and their son Christian Butler. He also had two other sons, Chad Lamont Butler II and Dahcory Butler, from previous relationships. Rest in peace Pimp C.