Pimp C 2005 Jailhouse Interview (AP Photo)
Rapper Pimp C, one-half of Texan hip-hop duo UGK, was found dead earlier this morning at his room in the up market Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, a favourite hangout among those in the music industry. Mondrian Hotel is not far from the House of Blues on Sunset Strip, where he had performed on Saturday night alongside rap veteran Too $hort.
"It is with great regret that I must confirm that Chad Butler aka Pimp C, one half of the legendary UGK, was in fact discovered dead this morning," his publicist, Nancy Byron, said in a statement.
An updated TMZ report said Pimp C may died of natural causes by an official from Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. They're told no drug paraphernalia or other drugs were found in the room. The rapper, they've learned, was found fully clothed on top of the bed. He did not seem to have fallen or injured himself and he was positioned on his side.
But the real cause of how did Pimp C die will likely have to depend autopsy and toxicology tests.
Pimp C, whose real name is Chad Butler, was 33 years old and born in the Port Arthur, Texas. He and another UGK one-half Bun B were pioneers of Southern rap, best known for appearing on the Jay-Z track "Big Pimpin'" in 2000, and more recently with Outkast on the song "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)."
Pimp C was jailed for three years in 2002 on gun charges. In 2005, he was imprisoned again after violating probation by falling behind on the community service requirement of an aggravated assault plea. Source: AP
Update: Pimp C's funeral has been held at the Robert A. "Bob" Bowers Civic Center December 13.
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