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Source: Reuters
LOS ANGELES, Dec 4 (Reuters Life!) - Texas Rapper Pimp C, a member of the chart-topping duo UGK, was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room on Tuesday, TMZ.com reported.
The online news site said Los Angeles County Fire Dept. personnel discovered him in his bed at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood after responding to a 911 call.
Pimp C, whose real name was Chad Butler, was 33, according to various news reports.
UGK, in which Pimp C performed with Bun B (a.k.a. Bernard Freeman), topped the U.S. pop album charts in August with "Underground Kingz," its first entry on the survey in five years. Pimp C spent much of that time in prison, serving nearly four years for aggravated assault. He was paroled in 2005.
Source: Washington Post
Rapper Pimp C Found Dead in LA Hotel
The Associated Press
Tuesday, December 4, 2007; 4:28 PM
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.
"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, and partner Bun B were pioneers of Southern rap, and hit the mainstream with their cameo on Jay-Z's hit "Big Pimpin'."
The duo's career was derailed when Pimp C 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."
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Pimp C, one-half of the veteran Houston rap group UGK, was found dead in an upscale hotel on Tuesday.
"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 and partner Bun B were pioneers of Southern rap, and hit the mainstream with their cameo on Jay-Z's hit "Big Pimpin'. | 
