By L.D.Williams Jr.


Pimp C was one of the true characters in hip hop. Chad 'Pimp C' Butler had a flashy wardrobe and a distinctive voice. He was outspoken, charismatic, and a pioneer. His legendary career would serve as a testament to his originality and inspire the generation that would follow him. This is a retrospective look at the life, career, death and afterlife of one of hip hop's true legends.

 

Pimp C's Life and Career

Pimp C was born to Weslyn ' Mama Wes' Munroe on December 29th, 1973. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas.
Pimp C's fabled hip hop career began in the in the late 1980s in a foursome called 4BM which was the abbreviation for 4 Black Ministers. The foursome consisted of members Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, Chad " Pimp C" Butler, Mitchell Queen and Angel Eye Johnson.
Around 1990 Queen and Johnson decided to no longer pursue rapping. Queen and Johnson's secession from the group did not stop Bun B and Pimp C. The duo decided to repackage themselves as the Underground Kingz taking the name from a song that had the same name.
In 1992 UGK signed a five album contract with Jive records. UGK released their debut on November 10th, 1992. Their debut album was called To Hard To Swallow. Pimp C made his presence felt with his descriptive lyrics and distinctive voice he also handled the lion share of the producing for the record. Pimp C was responsible for producing the songs Use Me Up, Short Texas, Cocaine In The Back Of The Ride, Feel Like I'm The One Who's Doin' Dope, I'm So Bad and the street classic Pocket Full Of Stones. The song 'Pocket Full of Stones' would give UGK exposure to a larger national audience when the song was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture Menace II Society.
Their debut was a regional success selling about 40, 000 units in two and a half months. The album sold primarily in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. "Because we were small-town cats, we spoke from a small-town mentality, and a lot of the small-town people felt that and latched onto it immediately" Bun said of the group's initial success.
Two years later in 1994 the duo released their sophomore effort Supertight. The album featured eleven brand new songs. Pimp C was credited for producing the entire effort. He produced the entire album but it was not a singular effort. DJ DMD assisted him on two songs (It's Supposed To Bubble and Three Sixteens) respectively. The song Front, Back, Side To Side was freatured on the soundtrack for Low Down Dirty Shame.
On July 29th, 1996 UGK released their most critically and commercially successful album to date at that point in their careers Ridin Dirty. The album featured more of Pimp C's remarkable work behind the boards. He produced or co produced as well as rapped on all thirteen of the tracks featured on the disc. The album featured Pimp C's strong mic presence. He had particularly standout performances on the aggressive "Murder":

I'm still Pimp C bitch so what the fuck is up?
I'm puttin' powder on the streets cuz I got
Big fuckin' nut's comin' back from Louisiana
In a Fleetwood Lana
I deserve them nigga's shit to put they pea's on they banner
Got the pound four by four cuz you know I just
Pay to nigga bought thirty from me
So I fronted forty two, he gonna pop to seven hundred
Times sixty two, twenty four eight is what I do
So fuck what 'cha do
If I told ya cocaine number's you think I was lyin'
Young nigga's twenty two talkin' bout they retirin

Pimp C also sounded strong when he tapped his conscience on the song Hi- Life;

I'm tired livin' fucked up, tired of livin' bad
Tired of hearing grandma tellin' me
When you gonna go to church Chad
Now I'm tryin' to live up to the image
That she would want me to be
But I got one foot in the street
And every week I flip a Ki
I never wanted to be a G
But niggas depend on me

Ridin Dirty was the album that gave UGK respect in the streets but also in the streets because they were able to go gold with very little airplay and meager support from their record label and virtually no video support. UGK's longevity and consistency drew the support of Brooklyn MC and burgeoning hip hop juggernaut Jay- Z. The respect level was so high that he reached out to the dynamic duo to appear on his fourth studio album Volume 3. The Life and Times of S. Carter. While Bun B was enthusiastic to have the opportunity Pimp C was not as enthusiastic.
"This is Jay-Z. Everybody loves him. He just did Hard Knock Life. Everybody is going to go out and buy his next album. He could sneeze, cough or fart on the record - it's going to sell a million-plus off the top, why wouldn't we at least get a song on that record?' Bun recalls of trying to convince Pimp C to do the song.
Bun B was right because the song went on to become one of the most successful singles on the album. The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart. With Big Pimpin doing well on the charts UGK's momentum continued to build as they were featured on Three Six Mafia's single "Sippin' On Some Syrup".
The strong mainstream buzz and new found interest almost assured commercial success when they decided to return with their follow up to Ridin Dirty. However after financial disputes, label delays and disputes in creative direction their follow up titled Dirty Money arrived in 2001 after a lot of the mainstream attention had fizzled out.
"They wanted us to make a 'Big Pimpin', Part 2,' basically," Bun says. "They wanted to go get a beat from Tim, they wanted to get Jay, they wanted Hype [Williams] to shoot the video. I'm like, 'Well, all that is cool, but I don't know if necessarily that's the way we want to come back.' At that point, we hadn't had a UGK album in about three and a half years. I thought it was important for us to come back exactly the way people know us. We ended up really not even connecting to the fame again."
Dirty Money, their fourth studio album came and went with very little fanfare in 2001. In January 2002 Pimp C was dealt a new set of adverse circumstances when he was sentenced to eight years in prison. Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison when he fell behind on a community service requirement.
While Pimp C was incarcerated his partner in rhyme Bun B soldiered on and started the "Free Pimp C" movement. The movement engulfed the south and captivated the country. It initially started with Bun B saying 'Free Pimp C' on songs that he was featured on. The movement then got so strong that other southern artists like Chamillionaire, Paul Wall and a host of others screamed Free Pimp C too. The 'Free Pimp C' movement got so much momentum that Rap A Lot records released his solo debut The Sweet James Jones Stories while he was still in prison.
On December 30th 2005 the 'Free Pimp C' movement ended when he was released from prison. On April 18th, 2006 Pimp C was involved in a car accident when his Bentley was hit at a high speed. He was leaving his video shoot for 'Pourin Up' when the accident occurred. On July 11th, 2006 he released the debut that fans had long awaited titled Pimpilation. The album went on to be certified gold on the strength of three singles: "Knockin Doors Down", "I'm Free" and "Pourin Up". The album showcased the Pimp at his best with his distinct voice, flashy brash content balanced with sharp conscious commentary. An example of the latter comes in 'Knockin Doors Down' when he discusses ending petty rap beefs and starting a union in hip hop:

I'm down with Lil' Flip and I'm down with T.I.P.
If them niggaz come together know how much paper we could see?
Slim Thug and Z-Ro, y'all s'til bullshittin
Need to sit down, take a tour, there's too much money to be get (money to be get)
Paul Wall and that Koopa s'til ain't talkin (uh!)
Money speak, all that bullshit keep walkin (uh!)
Y'all niggaz got the game fucked up (up!)
All you record company people need to shut the FUCK UP! (shut the fuck up!)

After releasing his long awaited debut, Pimp C along with his rhyme partner Bun B began to work on their long awaited group album that would eventually be called Underground Kingz. The album was eventually released on August 7th, 2007. The album went on to debut at number one on the charts. It was the highest selling album in the first week in Pimp C's career. The album sold about 156,000 in it's first week. The album's sales largely because of the Outkast assisted single International Players Anthem (I Choose You).
Despite major success Pimp C also never shied away from publicizing his opinion on people and issues within the hip hop community. The interview he gave Ozone magazine set chat rooms, bloggers and anyone who could read ablaze with his controversial comments. Pimp C discussed several issues some of the highlights included quotes like:

"Them big ol' plates they be wearing that look like dinner plates? Them diamonds are monkey. You need to take that monkey shit back cause you embarrassing us." - Pimp C's thought's on Lil Flip and Mike Jones' choice of jewelry

"Young ass niggas that used to be wearing gangsta clothes wearing v-neck sweaters and Argyle socks looking like Pharrell. Are you niggas metrosexual or homosexual or what? You've got plenty of pictures of these niggas dressing funny. Nigga, you ain't Fonsworth Bentley, bitch! You ain't Pharrell, nigga!" Pimp C's thought on fashion


"I ain't out here dressing up trying to be sexy licking my lips like old gay ass Ne-Yo. Licking lips and shit, nigga. Pussy dick in the booty ass nigga wearing all that gotdamn lip gloss at their video shoots and letting niggas put makeup on their face. Yeah, I said Ne-Yo, you heard what the fuck I said. Niggas putting all that lip gloss on they fuckin' lips looking like they've just been eating a pork chop sandwich with no hands." Pimp C's thoughts on Ne-Yo

"Muthafuckers talking about they've got kilos for $17,500. Bitch, ain't no kilos for $17,500 up there, and you know what I'm talking about. Come to Houston and get the work and pop it cause we're right there by San Antonio and we're going down there and gettin' the work. And guess what, man. All y'all niggas talking about selling dope? If y'all niggas was some d-boys, guess what, man? I don't believe you niggas no more cause I'm seeing you niggas in button up shirts getting cute and pretty trying to look sexy. Nigga, fuck you. Nigga, and I ain't gotta say your name. Play with me and I'll expose the niggas that was wearing backpacks with their pant leg rolled up back then in Atlanta when me and Big Meech used to be off in the club kickin' it buying each other champagne." Pimp C's thoughts Mr. 17.5


"Atlanta is not the South. Atlanta is not the South, god damn it, when you go to Atlanta what does your clock say? When you get off the plane from Los Angeles or Texas, what time do it be over there? Atlanta is East Coast time. You niggas ain't in the South." Pimp C's thought's on Atlanta not being the south

After news of the interview leaked Pimp Called in to Atlanta's 107.9 to clarify some of his comments. He clarified that he was not targeting Young Jeezy when he made the 17.5 reference. He also did say that Atlanta is the south and even made reference to the fact that he lived in Atlanta from 1996-2001 and would probably still be there if his parole had allowed him to do so. He also urged southern artists to make sure the audience gets something out of their records.

 

Pimp C's Death

On December 4th, 2007 Pimp C was found dead at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call and discovered the rapper dead in his sixth floor hotel room. His death came three days after he had performed with his label mate Too Short.
Pimp C's death marked the end of an era in southern hip hop. Pimp C and his brother in arms Bernard "Bun- B" Freeman formed the seminal hip hop duo UGK which stood for Underground Kingz. Pimp C's impact on hip hop is undeniable. In a legendary career that spanned over fifteen years he not only was a pioneer in southern hip hop but he managed to use his music to influence countless artists that would follow him.

The Afterlife of Pimp C

Upon hearing of Pimp C's death a few days later Lil Flip recorded and released a tribute song for Pimp C. Several mixtape DJs released tribute tapes from various southern artists as well as 'Best Of' mixtapes featuring music by Pimp C himself.
December 13th, 2007 friends, family and fans assembled to say goodbye to Pimp C. A sea of fans lined the streets as early as 7:30 a.m. to ensure that they were admitted to Pimp's funeral at the Robert A. "Bob" Bowers Civic Center. It was at this service that several peers got to say their final goodbyes to the hip hop legend. Several artists in attendance took time out to remember their departed colleague:

"Pimp helped lay the foundation for southern music. Without him, we wouldn't be where we are. Pimp was the Tupac of the South. Everybody's that's rapping today is imitating Pimp." James Prince, CEO of Rap A Lot Records

He was my brother ... one of my true friends, one of my homeboys. It's only right for me to be here today. He supported me at a time I really was in need, and I'm going to be here for him and his family."
"I've learned ... being from theses streets, not to really question God. I kind of just got to let it be. Even though it gets hard, life still goes on." Trae
"[Pimp C's] genius was unparalleled. His passion was undeniable and his love was unmatched. To say that I lost a friend or brother would never do justice to the relationship we shared. I will never be the same again." Bun B
Pimp C's time on earth was not wasted his impact will be felt forever. Even the Pimp himself knew that he like all of us is living on borrowed time. He alluded to this in the song "One Day" from their critically acclaimed Ridin Dirty when he said:

Man if you got kids show em you love em cuz God jus might call em home
Cuz one day you here but baby the next day you gone

While Pimp C was indeed called and he is now gone from the physical world he has cemented his legacy as a revolutionary artist in the hearts, minds , souls and ears of his family, friends and millions of fans.
Rest In Peace
Chad "Pimp C" Butler