By Nolan Strong
UGK group member Chad "Pimp C" Butler was found dead in a hotel room this morning, according to reports.
Firefighters responded to a 911 call placed from the Mondrian Hotel on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California.
The rapper was found dead in his bed in a sixth floor hotel room.
Details are still emerging.
A representative of Pimp C confirmed his death and asked that, "Everyone please respect his family and those close to him at this time and refrain from rumors and innuendo."
"We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad," said Jive Records' President and CEO Barry Weiss in a statement. "He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I've known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family."
Pimp C was born in the Buena Vista section of Port Authur, Texas.
His first rap group was formed in the late 1980’s called Mission Impossible with Mitchell Queen, Jalon Jackson and Bernard "Bun B." Freeman.
Queen and Jackson left and Pimp C and Bun B formed the legendary duo Underground Kingz (UGK).
UGK released their debut album The Southern Way in 1992, which led to a five album deal with Jive Records.
Pimp C made several notable cameo appearances as well, including Three 6 Mafia’s "Sippin on Some Sizzurp" and one of Jay-Z’s breakthrough singles, "Big Pimpin’."
In August, the group released their first album in five years and the album shot to the top of the Billboard Top 200 powered by the hit single "International Players Anthem" featuring Outkast.
In October, the single took home Best Collaboration honors at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.