Pimp C's death ruled accidental
AP, Feb 4, 2008 10:00 pm PSTInfluential Southern rapper Pimp C died of an accidental overdose of a combination of drugs he had named in his lyrics — codeine and promethazine, the county coroner's office ruled Monday.
The drugs are key ingredients in "syrup," a narcotic of choice in Southern rap circles that was most famously celebrated by Three 6 Mafia and Pimp C's group Underground Kingz in the 2000 single "Sippin' on some Syrup."
The coroner's office said Pimp C had sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing for up to 30 seconds at a time while sleeping. That illness combined with large amounts of prescription-strength cough syrup is what killed the rapper, coroner's Capt. Ed Winter said.
DJ Screw, another influential figure in the Texas hip-hop scene, died of a heart attack in 2000 after a reported overdose of codeine-laced cough syrup.
Pimp C, born Chad Butler, was 33 when he was found in his bed Dec. 4 at the upscale Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood. The coroner's office said his body was decomposing when it was found.
With partner-in-rhyme Bun B, Pimp C was half of the pioneering Port Arthur, Texas-based rap duo UGK. The group's self-titled CD topped the Billboard charts last year. Pimp C had been working on a solo effort before he died.
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Coroner: Pimp C's Death Accidental
Feb 5, 2008 6:00 am PST
It wasn't just sippin' on some syrup that cost him his life. Chad "Pimp C" Butler's death has been ruled accidental, per the Los Angeles coroner, a lethal combination of many factors, including high-octane cold medicin...
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Family and friends said farewell Thursday to Pimp C, whose raspy Southern drawl and raw lyrical prowess attracted legions of fans. The funeral was held at the Robert A. Bowers Civic Center in the rapper's southeast Texas hometown of Port...
Pimp C funeral set for Thursday in Texas
Dec 11, 2007 5:29 am PST
Pimp C, found dead in bed in a Los Angeles hotel room last week, will be remembered with a public memorial service Thursday. The service will be held in the Robert A. Bowers Civic Center in Pimp C's hometown of Port Arthur, about 90 mile...
Pimp C nominated for Grammy two days after death
Dec 6, 2007 5:00 pm PST
Two days after he died suddenly in a Los Angeles hotel room, Texas rapper Chad "Pimp C" Butler received a Grammy nomination on Thursday. Butler and partner Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who performed together as UGK (Underground Kingz), were n...
Dec 4, 2007 4:43 pm PST
Pimp C, who spun searing tales of Texas street life into a key role in the rise of Southern hip-hop, was found dead in an upscale hotel on Tuesday. He was 33. The rapper formed Underground Kingz with partner-in-rhyme Bun B while the pair...
