Pimp C Biography + Discography

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Chad Lamont Butler (December 29, 1973 — December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer. Pimp C is best known for his work with Bun B as a founding member of the Underground Kingz (UGK) and is widely considered a pioneer of the signature Houston, Texas scene and sound.

PERSONAL LIFE

Chad Lamont Butler was born to Charleston L. and Weslyn Jacob Butler on December 29, 1973 in Port Arthur, Texas. Chad’s parents were originally from Crowley, Louisiana where its presumed he spent a portion of his early life before moving back to Texas. He attended public schools in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Chad’s interest in music surfaced at an early age. Given the onset and grass root popularity of urban music, Chad knew, as early as nine years old, that he wanted to be a musician. He began playing.

Butler married Chinara Kushana Jackson on April 29, 2003. The couple has one daughter, Christian. Along with his two sons Chad Butler Jr. son of his first wife Nitacha Broussard and Corey Butler son of Angie.

UGK HISTORY

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, 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 wouldnt release another studio album until 2007’s Underground Kingz which featured “I Choose You (Player’s Anthem)” Ft. Outkast.

In January 2002, Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating his probation stemming from an earlier aggravated assault charge. His arrest was widely protested by the hip hop community, who immediately initiated a grassroots “Free Pimp C” campaign.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.

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. On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2009.

DETAILS ON DEATH AND TRIBUTES

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 accidental 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 “sizzurp” in his music.

The funeral was held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, Texas on December 13, 2007.[10] 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. Randolph. Attendees included many fellow luminaries of the Houston rap scene: Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Willie D, Big Gipp, and Webbie.

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 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.

Macklemore wrote Otherside about the cough syrup epidemic and mentions Pimp C.

Pimp C was set to appear in a song titled ‘Naked Lady’ by Chamillionaire after his wife gave some material to Chamillionaire, however upon realising that Universal Records wanted to take most of the money from the song, leaving little for Butler’s family, Chamillionaire returned the material in hopes that it would be sold to someone else for a higher amount of money.

During Drake’s verse in Bun B’s “Put It Down” music video, Pimp C’s oldest son Chad Butler II is shown 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.

Radio One’s KBXX 97.9 The Box website TheBoxHouston.com saluted Pimp C death anniversary Dec. 4th, 201o with an hour broadcast of interviews from Bun B, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, David Banner, LeToya and Pimp C himself.

DISCOGRAPHY (SOLO)