Bun B Interview with Mad Hatta

Time always runs out. Poised to see the continued success of the Southern flavored Hip-Hop he helped foster, UGK’s Chad "Pimp C" Butler was found dead in a Los Angelese hotel room on the morning of December 4th. While his physical being may no longer be with us, his spirit and influence will no doubt continue to linger.

Underground King was a totally apropos title. Set to blow and reap the benefits of the subterranean work UGK put in for years after appearing on Jay-Z’s 2000 hit “Big Pimpin’,” Pimp C caught a charge and commenced an eight year prison sentence in 2002. Plenty of “Free Pimp C” shouts and Bun B appearances later, he was released in late 2005 and set to make up for lost time. Pimp C released his last solo album, Pimpalation, in 2006, but it was the delayed but critically praised Undergroundz Kingz album that found Pimp and Bun B back in their groove as a unit. “His genius was unparalleled,” said Bun B in a statement. “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.”

Port Arthur, Texas' Pimp C was already a certified legend thanks to his rap and production on albums like the UGK classic Ridin’ Dirty. But while he enjoyed the Southern Hip-Hop wave, he took umbrage at anyone questioning the validity of his region’s Hip-Hop music. Nevertheless, if you were not hating for the sake of hating (really listen to “Quit Hatin’ the South”), he staunchly believed in Hip-Hop unity. “Knockin’ Doors Down” where he calls for Houston rappers to put aside petty differences or his songs with Big Daddy Kane & Kool G. Rap (“Next Up”) and Talib Kweli (“Real Women,” “Country Cousins”) are only a couple examples.

Pimp C held his tongue for no one and if you asked his opinion he always kept it 100, sometimes to a fault. In interviews with Ozone Magazine and on radio station like Atlanta’s TK, Pimp threw political correctness under the bus when ruminating on everything from homosexuals in Hip-Hop and dope boy rappers to questioning fundamental US geography. But Pimp C was only being Pimp C, and before anything else he was only being human. By nature we are emotional beings entitled to change our minds or on occasion say stuff we might rethink later (i.e. It’s a good bet he knew very well that Atlanta is in the south). And it was Pimp’s extreme sincerity the endeared him to his fans and most importantly his friends. "[I’’m] still in shock my big bro Pimp C is no longer with us,” says Gloria Velez. “He was way too young to leave us. He had so much more to give. I knew him since i was  19 years of age. He gave me great advice. Guidance in how this game is. Pimp did so much for the game. A legend in his own right. May he find peace in his rest."

Pimp knew his faults and strove to do better. For example, before a rift with Young Jeezy over “prices,” could brew into unnecessary hostility, Pimp C kept it especially classy about the situation.  On “I’m Free,” from Pimpalation, he stressed, “I still don’t believe the pen is no place for a man.” Pimp C was only given a few short years after his release to make good on his promises to do better, and he did a commendable job.

By no means will we say he was a patron saint, but who really is. With his legacy firmly cemented, UGK’s “Trill Ni**as Don’t Die” from Underground Kingz now resonates especially true. Hip-Hop lost another icon that had more game to let his constituents soak up. As a testament to the reverence he was given while alive, we’ve collected statements from a host of Hip-Hop stars regarding the late rapper.


"It’s a great loss to the southern Hip-Hop movement. My condolences and condolences from the whole City of Miami, Poe Boy Enertainment and Triple C’s go out to Pimp C’s family, kids, wife and Bun B. Ridin’ Dirty is in my top three album’s in Hip-Hop history and let the legacy of Pimp C live on. —Rick Ross





"Listening to Pimp C and UGK got me through a lot of hard times growing up, it is tragic to see someone so talented who gave so much to the culture to go so suddenly. I was lucky enough to work with Pimp before he left us, although outspoken at times, I personally found him to be one of the humblest and most generous people I have ever come across, a true Legend, he will be sadly missed but I know his legacy will live on." —Dizzee Rascal

“Pimp C was as real as they come. When you heard him rhyme you heard his soul pour through your speakers because he spoke of nothing but the truth about the world as he saw it.  He taught us that we never have to adhere to the music industry's standards in order to feel accepted and respected. —Ludacris

"I grew up a fan of UGK. I always respected and admired how they represented Texas so hard. The whole state of Texas united together screaming "FREE PIMP C." I was blessed with the opportunity to record with Pimp and to even get the chance to be his friend, and I'm definitely mourning his death. My heart goes out to Mama C and Pimp's kids and Bun B." - Paul Wall

"Pimp C was a legend in the South and Hip-Hop has lost a true pioneer! His music will live on for years to come, and he has influenced Cool & Dre and Hip-Hop music in so many ways! Our deepest condolences go out to our brother Bun B and to Pimp C's family, fans and friends! We will forever miss "Pimp C." —Cool of Cool & Dre


"I'm still in shock. My big brother Pimp C is no longer with us. He was way too young to leave us. He had so much more to give. I knew him since I was 19 years of age. He gave me great advice. Guidance in how this game is. We bonded in how family oriented he was. So compassionate. Very witty. Pimp did so much for the game. A legend in his own right. My heart goes out to his family especially Bun. I know how close you guys were. Bun, know that God only gives us what we can handle. Be strong! You know I am here for you. Pimp will be missed dearly. May he find peace in his rest. - Gloria Velez


“Bun B introduced me to Pimp C on the set of T.I.’s “Front to Back” video shoot earlier this year. Pimp was sitting in his brand new Bentley getting ready for his next scene. He told me to get in with him, and as [we’re] waiting for the crew to prep the set for the next scene we got to talking about his experience in jail and all the things he was planning on doing now that he was out. He was most excited about the new UGK album, which he predicted to me would be a big hit! What I liked about Pimp the most was that he looked you right in the eye when he spoke to you and you knew whatever he was saying to you was from the heart. He was never an over-the-top kind of guy...always about his business and always looking out for the people around him. My only regret is not being able to spend more time with the cat. He was a really sharp guy."  —DJ Irie


"He was as real as it gets. Every word that came out of his mouth was the truth. I was so proud to have known him and to be part of his history. I will miss his musical presence in Hip-Hop, and miss him as a homey. Damn, Hip-Hop has lost another great one." —DJ Whoo Kid


"It's a sad case ın Hip-Hop that he had to go out like that but life is short, real talk. Pimp C was a G in this game he set the tone for alot of sh*t! Plus he was also a funny guy. We had mad fun in the studio and he always spoke his mind. RIP PIMP C" —Swızz Beatz

"First I will like to give honors to God for life, and secondly I will like to say 'Rest In Peace' to a friend and a brother, Pimp C. I know that my friend Pimp C is gone to a be on a higher spiritual plane.The body as we know as Pimp C has passed on, but his spirit will live forever through me and many of you. Pimp loved his people, and he was working on a radio show that was going to raise to social consciousness of the lost brothers and sister here in America. Pimp was like Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Noble Drew Ali and Brother Tupac all in one. He was radical, he was peaceful, he was a savior for the hood and he loved to get at anybody that didn't see things his way. But, I want everybody to know that he wanted to make peace with all the brothers that he had beef with. I was his best friend, so I know that he loved his people and he was a good soul. The brother helped me in so many ways I will be in debt with him for life. I will always will miss him, and love the brother."  —Ken Ivy aka Pimpin' Ken

"Very sad day for Hip-Hop. The man just got his life back. Now he is an international player in heaven." —Mick Boogie


"Pimp C was my homie. He held me down when I was locked up, when my own
fam wouldn't. You can't forget that his talent was off the radar and he repped the South to the fullest. My sympathies to Mama Wes, their family and Bun B. He will be missed. R.I.P. PIMP C" —C-Murder




"Pimp C was a true pioneer and a great artist. It's a shame another talented artist is gone." —Domingo


"Pimp C was a real n***a. He deserves to be honered and cherished. The words he spoke were always heavy and powerful, big him up." —N.O.R.E.


"Truly one of the pillars and foundations of southern Hip-Hop, he will
be missed. My condolences go out to the family." —9th Wonder


"Pimp C was a great man who inspired a whole generation of people in Texas including us. He was much bigger than just music, he was the Godfather of everything in Texas.   We send our sincerest condolences to Chad's family." —Play-N-Skillz

"First and foremost rest in piece Pimp C; a fallen soldier and a legend in the game. He opened up a lot of doors for Hip-Hop and the South and for me personally. I got the honor to meet Pimp right after he got out at the “Front To Back” video shoot in Houston and of course [through] my relationship with Bun B. Just to get to get the opportunity to be in Pimp’s presence after what he has accomplished in Hip-Hop, it just saddens me that he’s gone. [It’s] still kind of unreal. Just a personal note after I got arrested and raided with the whole situation, Pimp was one of the few that really went hard for me in the public. He really stood strong for me in that situation. I got an opportunity to thank him for that. It’s a sad day on a day for myself, Wyclef, Styles P., Scarface, and Ghostface who all put out albums and me being the rookie of that class and have such a legend to pass is terrible. I’m speechless. I just want to send my condolences to his family. We will definitely keep his legacy alive. —DJ Drama

"The name Underground Kingz says it all, whether you're on a label or not. Along with Bun B, Pimp C represented something I always looked up to when people would ever define underground as a bad thing. I can always say UGK is underground aren't they? Pimp C was one of the biggest reasons why I was proud to be considered underground. It's a big loss." —Evidence (Dilated Peoples)

"Pimp C had that type of flow and swagger that no other artist has. Hip-Hop and the world in general will miss his presence." —Twista

"A true legend is gone but not forgotten." —Mike Jones