R.I.P.
Coroner: Pimp C May Have Died of Natural Causes

Pimp CCapt. Ed Winter of the L.A. County Coroner's office tells TMZ that it appears as though rapper Pimp C died of natural causes in a Hollywood hotel room today.

We're told no drug paraphernalia or other drugs were found in the room. The rapper, we'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.

Winter said it did not appear that there was anyone else in the room at the time of his death. An autopsy will be performed and toxicology test results will be available in six to eight weeks.

Pimp C, whose real name is Chad Butler, was one half of the Houston rap duo UGK.



Reader Comments

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61. It Really is a shame how ignorant our society is. These people are artists and have lives outside of the music industry in world. you all talk about rappers and drugs, do we forget about rock and roll and drugs as well. Some of you need to get out of the house and realize that America is a diverse country, if you dont like that then you belong somewhere else.

Posted at 7:28PM on Dec 4th 2007 by Rick

62.
Sometimes a voice says to just go to sleep & stop breatheing - you can fight it or not.

Posted at 7:33PM on Dec 4th 2007 by iNews

63. Shannon #57 Your momma is a BYTCH and a WHITE TRASH BYTCH AT THAT. She probably had sex with your sorry ass grandfather and made your nasty ass you stupid bytch.

Posted at 7:33PM on Dec 4th 2007 by na na

64. LOS ANGELES - Pimp C, one-half of the veteran Houston rap group UGK, was found dead in an upscale hotel on Tuesday. He was 33.
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"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. "Manager Rick Martin is asking that everyone please respect his family and those close to him at this time and refrain from rumors and innuendo."

Pimp C, born Chad Butler, was found dead in the Mondrian hotel, a longtime music-industry hangout.

Butler and his partner, Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, were pioneers of Southern rap, and hit the mainstream with their cameo on Jay-Z's smash "Big Pimpin'." Though they never enjoyed the pop-chart success of some other rappers, their 1996 CD "Ridin' Dirty" is considered a rap classic, and their laid-back sound, complete with gangsta tales of creeping through humid streets gripping wood-grain steering wheels, was influential in shaping the Southern rap movement.

The duo's career was derailed when Butler was jailed for three years in 2002 on gun charges. He released an album while in prison, and this year the group made a comeback with the critically acclaimed album "Underground Kingz," which included the hit "Int'l Player's Anthem (I Choose You)," featuring OutKast.

Barry Weiss, CEO of their record label, Jive, said in a statement: "We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. 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."

Butler, who grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, came from a musical lineage. His father was a professional trumpet player, and the rapper studied classical music in high school. He even received a Division I rating on a tenor solo at a University Interscholastic League choir competition.

"That's how I came up listening to everything," he told The Associated Press in a 2005 interview. "Music don't have no color or no face. It's a universal language. I think being exposed to all that kind of stuff influences the way I make records."

But it was rap music that would become his passion. Together with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, Butler's friend since junior high, they started UGK, short for Underground Kingz

Posted at 7:33PM on Dec 4th 2007 by anthony

65. TO THAT LA PERSON YOURRRRRRR MAD ITS EATING YOU UP INSIDE BLACK PPL DOING THER THING GETING MONEY GETING FAME HAVEING WHITE PPL LOVE THEM AND THE MUSIC IN YOUR HONOR I'M GOING TO MERRY A WHITE GUY

Posted at 7:37PM on Dec 4th 2007 by HATEERS

66. THER IS A SUCH THING AS NATURAL CAUSES!! HATERS! YOU STUPID PEOPLE DONT KNOW NOTHING
R.I.P PIMP C

Posted at 7:41PM on Dec 4th 2007 by renee

67. R.I.P Chad Butler, it's a damn shame how low some people stoop to gratify themselves, it was time for you to go home i hope you have a peaceful journey. my condolences go out to the Butler and Freeman families. you are in a better place because a lot of people who didn't know you don't like you even in death.

Posted at 7:37PM on Dec 4th 2007 by juarez gooden

68. PIMP WHO?????

Posted at 7:39PM on Dec 4th 2007 by PAPA "T"

69. Foolish people do foolish things...So all the foolish comments that are truly coming from internet gangstas ..come on down to texas and speak your comments and see how many Wht-boy, mexicans, blks kick your asses...cause hiphop has no color neither does ignorance!!!....RIP PIMP C THE LEGEND!!!

Posted at 7:38PM on Dec 4th 2007 by anthony

70. aawwh! The air is so much fresher! The music is sounding so much better.

Posted at 7:42PM on Dec 4th 2007 by rapsucks!

71. Some of you imbeciles are so disrespectful & judgemental. Seriously. People show no respect for the dead anymore.

My condolences to his family & friends. I'm sure that behind all the glitz and glamour of hollywood there's a family mourning the lost of their friend, son, nephew, etc.. you catch my drift.

Posted at 8:19PM on Dec 4th 2007 by Brandy

72. that what he do!

Posted at 7:57PM on Dec 4th 2007 by koo koo SKI

73. wow i am white and am absolutly ashamed at the majority of these comments. this was a human being that died, and individual with a family and friends. you all wished anna nicole well once she died, you all gave her the respect yet she pretty much killed herself with the way she abused her body...yet you are bashing this individual because he writes and produces a style of music you don't like, what a sad bunch you all are.

Rest in peace Pimp C.....I never heard of you until today, but just like everyone else you deserve to rest in peace, may God help your loved ones in this time of need!

Posted at 7:49PM on Dec 4th 2007 by Kate

74. that what he do

Posted at 11:57AM on Dec 5th 2007 by koo koo SKI

75. Bid Dad E --haha nice name!!! ha ha ha

Posted at 7:58PM on Dec 4th 2007 by koo koo SKI

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