Pimp C

Chad Butler, the rapper known as Pimp C of the rap group UGK, was found dead this morning in his Los Angeles hotel room on Sunset Boulevard.

UGK rapper Pimp C was found dead this morning (Dec. 4) in his room at the Mondrian Hotel on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip. He was 33. Police found the rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, dead in his bed after responding to a 911 call.

In August, UGK released “Underground Kingz,” its first studio album in five years. The set, which spawned the popular single “Intl’ Players Anthem” featuring OutKast, debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, a first for the group.

UGK, which also features rapper Bun B, was derailed in 2002 when Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison on an assault charge. He was released on Dec. 30, 2005, at which point he quickly began working on new music.

Pimp C had performed the night before with fellow rapper Too Short.

Butler’s death comes a day after the murder of Mexican singer Zayda Pena.