Pimp C

Chad Lamont Butler (December 29, 1973 – December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer. He was best known for his work with Bun B as a founding member of the Underground Kingz (UGK).

Butler formed the rap group Underground Kingz (colloquially known as UGK) with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. In 1987, Jive Records signed UGK and released Too Hard to Swallow, followed by the critically acclaimed Super Tight. The group's third album, Ridin' Dirty, reached #2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The group was featured on popular singles "Big Pimpin'" with Jay-Z and "Sippin On Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia. UGK's fourth album, Dirty Money, was distributed in 2001.

In January 2002, Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating his probation stemming from an earlier aggravated assault charge. His arrest was widely protested by the hip hop community, who immediately initiated a grassroots "Free Pimp C" campaign. While Pimp C was in prison, Rap-A-Lot Records released Sweet James Jones Stories in 2005, most of which consisted of unreleased freestyle recordings.

Pimp C spent the later portion of his sentence at the Terrell Unit in Brazoria County, Texas and was transferred to the Huntsville Unit a week prior to his release. On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2007.
On July 11, 2006 Pimp C released his debut solo album, Pimpalation.

Due to Butler's incarceration in 2002, UGK would not release another studio album until 2007's Underground Kingz, which included the hit "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)", featuring Outkast.

Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles on December 4, 2007. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Butler suffered respiratory depression due to an overdose of promethazine and codeine coupled with a preexisting sleep apnea condition.