Pimp C, or Chad Butler—one half of the classic Texas rap duo UGK, died at the age of 33 in his Mondrian Hotel room in Hollywood this morning. Just three days after what was to be his final show with Too $hort at the House of Blues. The pair were also at work on an album together.
Pimp C and his long standing partner and friend Bun B formed UGK made their first major noise with ‘Something Good’, on Jive Records (back when it was still a legitimate rap label).
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MP3: UGK – Something Good (1992)
UGK has been a staple of Hip Hop since, but with Pimp C’s untimely death this morning, UGK has ostensibly come to its end. But looking back to better days, my favorite UGK track is the ‘93 single ‘Pocket Full of Stones’, which is heard on the Menace II Society soundtrack. Pimp C was the producer of many UGK tracks including ‘Pocket Full of Stones’, and produced several additional remixes, including this very appropriate one that, tonight, sounds like a eulogy:
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MP3: UGK – Pocket Full of Stones (1993)
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MP3: UGK – Pocket Full of Stones (Pimp C Remix) (1993)
Pimp C is most known for his appearances on Jay-Z’s 2000 single ‘Big Pimpin” and Three 6 Mafia’s 2000 single ‘Sippin’ On Da Syrup’ (aka ‘Sizzurp’). But, Pimp C has collaborated with many artists, most interestingly, UGK collaborated with UK Grime’s highest superstar Dizzee Rascal on his most recent ‘Maths + English’ album. UGK sounds at home on the track:
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MP3: Dizzee Rascal – Where’s Da G’s (feat. Bun B & Pimp C) (2007)
I grew up a hip hop head and on a steam of UGK on cassette tapes. Free Pimp C… Pimp C is now free.
If you’re a Hip Hop fan, get your library right with the ‘Best of’ UGK album that came out a while back. It’s solid and it’s on Amazon.
Visit Pimp C’s MySpace page and leave your messages of support.
