Chad Lemon Butler was born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA. There he met his friend, who would later become Bun B and together they formed the Houston-based rap group UGK. They rapped 'underground', until the duo signed with Jive Records in 1987. Pimp worked hard on the first UGK project, The Southern Way, which was available in 1988 and on cassette only.
It wasn't until 1992 that UGK really broke through into the hip hop/rap world. Jive Records signed them and they released Too Hard to Swallow. Pimp worked hard with Bun B for a while, until going on a hiatus in 1996, where the group would not work. In this time Pimp was aware that UGK's fans were slowly slipping.
Pimp C contributed to several tracks, until UGK came back on top by guest starring in tracks, such as Big Pimpin' and Sippin' on Some Syrup. Pimp C and Bun B came back with Dirty Money in 2001, but the album failed both critically and financially.
As Dirty Money was going through problems, Pimp was faced with even more problems. Pimp C was incarcerated for an aggravated gun assault charge in 2002. People cheered the catch phrase "Free Pimp C". During this time Bun B lived on the UGK name. Jive Records was forced to release a greatest hits for UGK and Bun B was forced to go solo, as Pimp C was locked up.[1]
Rap-A-Lot Records signed Pimp C, while in prison he released his solo debut Sweet James Jones Stories. Bun B also released his debut, which Pimp C slightly contributed to. Finally, on December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and was on parole until December 2009.[2]
Pimp C guest starred in many people's songs and contributed to artists, such as Slim Thug and T.I.. After that he started working again with Bun B on tracks for their upcoming UGK project UGK (Underground Kingz), which would end up being their most successful project of all time, in either artist's careers.
Pimp C released two solo albums.
4 months after the release of UGK (Underground Kingz), Pimp C died. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California, after Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 911 call. The department arrived at his sixth floor hotel room to find Pimp C dead in bed. This was three days after Pimp C performed with Too $hort at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.[3][4]
The Los Angeles County Coroner's office state Pimp C died from an accidental overdose of Promethazine/Codeine "syrup" mixed with a pre-existing medical condition, sleep apnea, which causes a person to stop breathing during sleep.[5][6]
After his death, he made posthumous appearances on Bun B's song "Underground Thang" (also featuring Chamillionaire) from II Trill and much later, an as-of-yet untitled track which is to be featured on Chamillionaire's third album Venom. The latter track is produced by Pimp C, making this his last production credit.
The final UGK project, 4 Life will be dedicated to Pimp C and his legendary Houston-based rapping style. Many people have shown respect to Pimp C, including David Banner, 8Ball & MJG, Rick Ross, Bun B, Slim Thug, T.I. and Lil Flip.
Young Ghetto Stars
Pimp C Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put your money where your mouth is boy
If you really wanna do somethin′
Get the fuck up
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I'm ridin′ tall on 24's, spittin' game out to the hoes
With my windows tinted black, make you think you saw a ghost
My home painted white on white, inside leather white on white
Chiefin′, drankin′ up all night, ballin' out, yeah that′s the life
Ladies wanna roll with me, blow a bag of dro with me
Party to the crack of dawn, when I'm down in yo′ city
I'm all about this pimpin′, when it comes to women
Get some head while drive mayne, oh what a feelin'
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
Here I am, here I am so fresh, so, so clean
Off in the club, aw shit, I see I blew the hoe's brain
Befo′ I came, I say I blew a whole thing
Clean as a dollar off in my black on black Impala
The Don Dada is what they call me overseas
But over here I should say I′m the king of Memphis, Tennessee
Rap is a wrap, haters wrapped off in my duct tape
What it take I say I been hard since first mix-tape
Face get your G's up, way, way up to my level
Higher than the clouds where my daddy rests in Heaven
But on another note I′m so stylish I changed the name
I surpassed clean, like a baby I'm clean, clean
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
Ay let me tell you niggaz somethin′
Let me tell you somethin' nigga
That paper is like trash, nigga
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
That paper is like trash nigga
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
We got big rims, big cars, big guap, ghetto stars
In the hood, gettin′ rich, gettin' it, livin' large
Sellin′ white, sellin′ pills, sellin' crystal meth, meth
Sellin′ D's, sellin′ speed 'til there′s nothin' left, left
Fresh clothes, pullin' hoes, get my roll on, roll on
Phone ringin′ off the hook, bitch hold on, hold on
I got a brand new woofer, put some more hoes on
So I can hit the club, strip and get chose on
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
In the song "Young Ghetto Stars" by Pimp C, the lyrics revolve around living a lavish lifestyle in the ghetto, with a focus on cars, clothes, money, and, of course, women. Pimp C raps about being above the rest in terms of wealth, style and women. He talks about partying all night with women who want to be with him, getting high on weed, speeding in a car, and living his best life.
In many ways, the lyrics are about escaping the hardships of the ghetto, but not forgetting where you come from. Pimp C's lyrics highlight how getting rich changes things, yet it still is about living by your own rules and not forgetting your roots. The lyrics of the song tie together the notions of wealth, status, reputation, and success, painting a picture of what the life of young ghetto stars looks like.
The song is an ode to the fame achieved by rappers and hip hop artists, with a specific nod towards the power and influence that comes with it. Overall, the song shows how materialism or the pursuit of materialism dominates the lives of gangsters and the rich, and it includes a grim portrayal of life in the ghetto.
Line by Line Meaning
Three 6 Mafia
Acknowledgment of the rap group Three 6 Mafia who popularized Memphis rap.
Put your money where your mouth is boy
If you want to prove yourself, back up your words with actions and money.
If you really wanna do somethin′
If you are truly interested in making a difference or achieving success.
Get the fuck up
Take action towards your goals or plans.
Bitch, I got money, I got clothes
I got whips, hold up, I got hoes
I am wealthy and have many possessions, including cars and women.
I'm ridin′ tall on 24's, spittin' game out to the hoes
With my windows tinted black, make you think you saw a ghost
I am driving a large vehicle with custom rims and speaking to women. My tinted windows give a mysterious effect.
My home painted white on white, inside leather white on white
Chiefin′, drankin′ up all night, ballin' out, yeah that′s the life
My home has a monochromatic, clean aesthetic. I smoke and drink all night and enjoy living lavishly.
Ladies wanna roll with me, blow a bag of dro with me
Party to the crack of dawn, when I'm down in yo′ city
Women want to spend time with me, smoking and partying until morning when I am visiting their city.
I'm all about this pimpin′, when it comes to women
Get some head while drive mayne, oh what a feelin'
I prioritize being a pimp and having control over women. I enjoy receiving oral sex while driving.
Here I am, here I am so fresh, so, so clean
Off in the club, aw shit, I see I blew the hoe's brain
I look fresh and clean at the club, and some woman is impressed by my style.
Befo′ I came, I say I blew a whole thing
Clean as a dollar off in my black on black Impala
Before I arrived, that woman was not having a good time. My black car is as clean as a new dollar bill.
The Don Dada is what they call me overseas
But over here I should say I′m the king of Memphis, Tennessee
I am a respected and powerful figure overseas, but in Memphis, I am the king.
Rap is a wrap, haters wrapped off in my duct tape
What it take I say I been hard since first mix-tape
My haters are silenced and trapped with my strong lyricism. I've been tenacious and skilled since my first mixtape.
Face get your G's up, way, way up to my level
Higher than the clouds where my daddy rests in Heaven
Get your money up to reach my level of wealth and success. I believe I am above the heavens where my father resides.
But on another note I′m so stylish I changed the name
I surpassed clean, like a baby I'm clean, clean
I am so fashionable that my style has become associated with my name. I am even cleaner and fresher than a baby.
That paper is like trash, nigga
Throw that shit out, throw that shit out
Money is disposable; discard it without a second thought.
We got big rims, big cars, big guap, ghetto stars
In the hood, gettin′ rich, gettin' it, livin' large
We have expensive cars and rims and we are ghetto stars. We are getting rich and succeeding in our community.
Sellin′ white, sellin′ pills, sellin' crystal meth, meth
Sellin′ D's, sellin′ speed 'til there′s nothin' left, left
We are selling drugs like cocaine, pills, and crystal meth. We are also selling other illegal drugs until they are all gone.
Fresh clothes, pullin' hoes, get my roll on, roll on
Phone ringin′ off the hook, bitch hold on, hold on
I wear new clothes and attract women. I am rolling and receiving many phone calls for appointments with women.
I got a brand new woofer, put some more hoes on
So I can hit the club, strip and get chose on
I have a new speaker system in my car to attract women. I am going to the club to watch women strip and then choose which ones to spend time with.
Writer(s): Butler Chad L, Writer Unknown
Contributed by Daniel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sobriquét Tru
on I Know U Strapped
The lyrics of Pimp C's song "I Know U Strapped" address the issue of bravado and violence among some men who carry firearms, but are not willing or prepared to use them in the face of danger. The song uses a confrontational tone to call out these men, who Pimp C refers to as "cowards" and "bitches." The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that getting drunk, high, or hyped up on cocaine can lead to reckless behavior that can end in tragedy.
The lyrics also describe several encounters that Pimp C had with people who tried to test him, but he ultimately came out on top. He recounts an incident in which he was confronted by some women in Dallas, but he refused to back down and instead asserted his dominance. In another verse, he talks about a person who screwed him out of some money and whom he considered having attacked at a later date.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Know U Strapped" paint a picture of a world in which firearms are omnipresent, and the line between bravado and real danger is often blurred. Through his lyrics, Pimp C seems to be warning listeners about the consequences of taking violent actions, as well as urging a more thoughtful approach to conflict resolution. Also, he's straight up disrespecting Master P!