Chad Lamont Butler, aka Pimp C, was a pioneer of Southern hip-hop. Born on December 29, 1973, in Crowley, Louisiana, and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler’s journey to becoming a rapper and producer was filled with triumphs and challenges.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Chad Butler was the only of Charleston Butler and Weslyn “Mama Wes.” His childhood was fraught with health challenges, including a birth defect that required leg braces and several bouts of pneumonia. Despite these health challenges, Butler showed an early interest in music. His dad was a trumpeter, while his stepfather was a band teacher. This helped nurture his musical talents. Butler learned to play several instruments by ear, including piano, trumpet, and drums.
Formation of UGK
Butler met Bun B (Bernard Freeman) in high school and together they formed the rap duo Underground Kingz (UGK) in 1987. Music by UGK was a blend of Southern soul, blues, and hip-hop – which helped define the “Dirty South” sound. They released their first album “Too Hard to Swallow” in 1992, which had the hit single “Tell Me Something Good” and helped establish them as a household name in hip-hop.
Rise to Fame
The following albums UGK released were Super Tight (1994) and Ridin’ Dirty (1996). The song Ridin’ Dirty was a big hit – reaching number 15 on the Billboard 2001. The gritty lyrics and unique sound won fans over, and the duo gained public attention nationally in 2000 when they featured on Jay-Z’s hit single “Big Pimpin’.”
Troubles with the Law and Solo Career
Butler’s career was interrupted in 2002 when he was sentenced to eight years in prison for a probation violation. He continued to write music while behind bars, and in 2005, he released his solo debut “The Sweet James Jones Stories,” which contained material recorded before his sentencing. After his release in 2005, Butler went back to the studio and released his second solo album, “Pimpalation,” in 2006.
The Return of UGK and Its Tragic End
In 2007, UGK returned to form with their self-titled double album which included the hit single “International Players Anthem (I Choose You)” featuring OutKast. It was a commercial success and is considered one of the greatest hip-hop collaborations of all time.
Unfortunately, Butler died on December 4, 2007, in his hotel room in West Hollywood, California. A coroner said he died from sleep apnea and the consumption of “lean,” a recreational drug mixture.
Legacy
Chad Butler has definitely shaped hip-hop – particularly Southern rap. He helped bring Southern hip-hop to the forefront as a member of UGK. He has a distinctive voice, production skills, and raw lyrical content that set him apart from others. Butler’s music often represented struggles and realities of life in the South.
Butler was also a public speaker and advocate for artists’ rights besides his musical accomplishments. He had been a vocal critic of the music industry exploiting artists and often stressed the importance of financial literacy and independence for musicians.
