Pimp C left a legion of fans, including Noreaga, Juicy J and Lil Wayne, stricken with grief when he passed on December 4th five years ago from an overdose of promethazine and codeine and a sleep apnea condition. But no one mourns the rapper born Chad Butler more than his UGK band-mate Bun B (BunBTrillOG), who took to Twitter to express the gravitas of losing his partner in rhyme with his 595, 322 followers.
“Not enough words to describe how I feel. 20 years after we started, and 5 years after you left us, what UGK,” Bun tweeted, before adding Jay-Z, who was featured with the Port Arthur-bred duo on the seminal hit, “Big Pimpin’,” in a subsequent tweet, “Happy birthday @S_C_ I know that you celebrate your born day with a heavy heart. I know how much love you had for Pimp, and his love for u.”
Bernard Freeman helped #RIPPimpC and #FavoritePimpCLyric become a trending topic, prompting other MC’s to offer up their own poignant messages in remembrance of the late Underground King.
“I remember being young in sound on sound studios wit @BunBTrillOG n Pimp and we spoke for hours PIMP WAS SUPER INTELLIGENT N HOOD SMART RIP,” tweeted N.O.R.E. before offering his support to Bun “Pimp c always made me laugh and every time I was around pimp he always taught me something rest in peace 2 the pimp @BunBTrillOG Im here4u.”
Even hip-hop’s most fun-loving MC, 2 Chainz, offered up his condolences, “R.I.P. Pimp C! Kuntry rap tunes.....”
Last week, The Museum of the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame unveiled a permanent UGK exhibit, which highlights the iconic group’s litany of career accomplishments. Artifacts integrated in the tribute to the southern rap pioneers include the duo’s BET award for Best Group and Video of The Year for “International Players Anthem,” a letter from the Grammy Recording Academy and the infamous Pimp C cup. Bun attended the exhibit’s opening on Dec. 2 and appreciates all the love for his fallen comrade.
“It’s an emotional day,” Bun told The Shadow League. “Doesn’t get much easier as time passes. But the outpouring of love that we receive from family, friends and supporters makes it easier.”
Maurice Bobb is a member of The Shadow League covering sports, music and culture. His work has appeared in SLAM Magazine, RIDES Magazine, XXL Magazine, KING Magazine, Complex.com, TDDaily.com, MTV News and MTV RapFix. Follow him on Twitter at @ReeseReport.
