Published: Thursday - December 13, 2007
Words by Allen Starbury
Pimp C (Photo: BallerStatus.com / Ed Rios)
Thousands of people (family, friends and fans) reportedly came out to wish late rapper Pimp C (real name: Chad Butler) farewell on Thursday (December 13) in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas.
Among those in attendance, celebs such as Bun B, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, David Banner, Rap-A-Lot Records CEO J. Prince, Mike Jones, Willie D of the Geto Boys and even Bishop Don Magic Juan, who arrived late, were all there to pay their respects.
Before the ceremony, the rapper's family asked that all attending the funeral wear appropriate funeral attire," according to Houston's KFDM-TV, and according to the news channel, everyone followed instructions.
During the ceremony, which lasted almost two hours, Jeff Sledge of Jive Records shared stories about Pimp C, as well as spoke about his passion and drive for music. Upon wrapping up his speech, he asked Mayor Prince to name a street after Chad Butler, which resulted in a standing ovation.
"I'm gonna miss everything about him," Sledge said. "Laughing and fussin' with him. When he would see me, he would say, 'What's up, my friend?' That meant so much because we been through a lot."
Pimp C's mother, Weslyn Monroe, also spoke, saying that her son is up with heaven with the late Tupac Shakur.
"He's up there and he told them the Soooouth is here," she said, imitating her son's voice. "He told 'Pac to take a break because C got it for now."
Pimp C's longtime partner, Bun B, spoke with MTV sharing the good spirits that Pimp's mother displayed during her speech.
"It's not about the loss," he told the network, "it's about the gain. We lost our homie but we gained so much from his life. That's what people are realizing. People been so stuck in their grief and their pain, the pastor came and gave some good words. His mom, especially, got up there and gave people a lot of encouragement. To see his mom so strong made a lot of people say, 'Let me stop wallowing in my self-pity. If his mom can get right, we all can get right.' It's UGK for life -- and Monday morning I'm back on these boys, so watch your a--!"
Pimp C, one-half of the legendary duo UGK, was found dead December 4 in the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles (see "Pimp C Of UGK Found Dead In Los Angeles"). He was just 33 years old.
The rapper died in bed, officials said, and there were no signs of foul play. Autopsy and toxicology results weren't yet available.
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