Dec 4, 2007 3:59 pm US/Pacific
Rapper Pimp C., 33, Found Dead In WeHo Hotel Room
WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBS) ―
-
-
Police say rapper Pimp C., born Chad Butler, was found dead in a West Hollywood hotel room Tuesday morning.
AP
Rapper Pimp C, who was half of the duo UGK and considered a pioneer of southern rap, was found dead Tuesday at the Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood, according to his record label.
The rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, was 33. The cause of death was not immediately known.
Oscar Butao of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau said homicide detectives were sent to the hotel in the 8400 block of West Sunset Boulevard about 9:20 a.m. to investigate a man's death. He could not confirm the man's identity, but Butler's record label did.
"We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad," said Barry Weiss, president and CEO of Jive Records. "He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront.
"He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and (UGK partner) Bun B. I've known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family."
The Port Arthur, Texas, native was the son of a professional trumpet player. He met his UGK partner Bernard "Bun B" Freeman in high school, and the duo signed with Jive Records in 1992.
UGK was honored in October at the BET Hip Hop Awards, winning best collaboration with Outkast and video of the year for "International Players Anthem."
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
