Chad Butler, otherwise known as "Pimp C," half of the rap duo Underground Kingz (UGK), was found dead in a Mondrian Hotel room in Hollywood. Butler was 33.
Butler first emerged on the rap scene with a group called Mission Impossible in the latter part of the 1980s, with Mitchell Queen, Jalon Jackson and Bernard "Bun B." Freeman. After Jackson and Queen left, Butler and Freeman became what would be the legendary Underground Kingz.
In response to a 911 call, firefighters found Butler on his sixth floor room in the Mondrian Hotel. When they arrived they found him already dead.
"We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad," said Jive Records' President and CEO Barry Weiss. "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 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."
His pubicist Nancy Byron added, "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. 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."
UGK received a five album deal with Jive Records after they released their first album "The Southern Way."
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