Today (Thursday Dec 13), family, friends,and fans alike all gathered for the going-home service for UGK‘s Chad “Pimp C” Butler in his hometown of Port Arthur, TX. As DX reported earlier this month, Pimp C passed away at age 35.
A literal sea of fans lined the streets as early as 7:30 a.m. to ensure admittance to Pimp‘s funeral at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center. Gray skies and steady rain seemed appropriate as hundreds showed up to pay their respects to the Hip-Hop legend whose music served as a soundtrack to millions of ears around the globe.
When the doors opened for entrance into Civic Center shortly after 11 a.m, Pimp‘s life-long friend and fellow UGK member, Bun B personally escorted Pimp‘s son, “Lil Chad,” into the funeral.
Bun was just one of several Hip Hop peers in attendance: Chamillionaire, Slim Thug and members of the Boss Hog Outlawz, Mike Jones, David Banner, Rap-A-Lot Records CEO J. Prince, LeToya Luckett, 8Ball and MJG, Willie D from the Geto Boys, Big Gipp and Khujo from Goodie Mob, and Pimp‘s protégé Webbie were also in attendance among others.
AD LOADING...
While mourners filed into the funeral, instrumental versions of UGK songs (many of which Pimp produced himself) were played as an homage to Pimp‘s talent and success in his musical career.
Though for some, the idea of losing such a close friend seemed to be unbearable at times (DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia remained sunk down in his seat in sorrow throughout the service) many found strength and solace in the fact that Pimp had now arrived in a much better place.
“We are here to celebrate not just this young man’s leaving but a life well lived [and] all he’s done all over the world,” Port Arthur MayorDeloris “Bobbie” Prince said at the podium during the service.
Still, even she came close to tears while talking about the Pimp‘s charitable contributions to the community and the unbreakable bond with his family.
AD LOADING...
Also during the funeral, UGK‘s longtime label rep, Jive Records Senior Director of A&R Jeff Sledge, got a standing ovation after asking Mayor Prince to name a street after Chad Butler. Sledge also expressed how much Pimp had wanted to win a Grammy. Although he didn’t live to see it, he and Bun were recognized with their first Grammy nomination for “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” just a few days ago.
“It was a blessing and curse at the same time,”Sledge said of the Grammy nod. “His dream since day one was for him to go to the Grammys and win for his and Bun’s music. For that to happen [after] he passed away was hard. But me, Bun, Wes, his wife, the kids — we all going to the Grammys and bring a Grammy home for him.”
Pimp‘s mom, Weslyn “Mama Wes” Monroe, spoke during the service as well, and appeared to be a pillar of strength. Like many of Pimp‘s closest friends and family, she wore a black, short-sleeve shirt with UGK‘s logo emblazoned on the back.
Mama Wes also said that although Pimp was an only child, he called several of his MC friends “brother,” and she asked for all of those brothers to carry the torch.
AD LOADING...
“He’s all right,” she repeated. “He got there [to heaven] and told them, ‘The Souuuth is here!’…You say he was your friend — he got three children, holla at ’em,” she continued. “Take them under your wing.”
“Thank you. You’ve done my baby right. Churrrch!”
As the procession left the building, many colleagues stopped to give comments to the press on their memories of Pimp and how he touched their lives:
Mutli-platinum Houston rapper Chamillionaire:
AD LOADING...
“It’s a very, very big loss for everybody in Houston. Chad was like a father figure to a lot of artists. Anytime he felt I was doing something wrong, … he’d always let me know. He was a very authentic person with his feelings.”
“I have one of the biggest ringtones ever, called Ridin’ Dirty. The concept of Ridin’ Dirty came from UGK (who released an album of the same name in 1996). That lets you know how much they influenced
me.”
AD LOADING...
“He was a living legend when he was here. His legacy is going to live forever. I don’t think anybody’s going to forget about Pimp C.”
Rap-A-Lot CEO James Prince:
“Pimp had an exceptional work ethic. He was working on a lot of songs. He gon’ live forever. Everybody can look forward to it.”
AD LOADING...
“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.”
Houston rapper Trae:
“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.”
AD LOADING...
“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.”
Roughly 90 minutes after the service started, Pimp C‘s body was quickly loaded back into the waiting car. He was laid to rest at a private funeral.
For video footage of the service click here.
