Pimp C, who was one half of the influential Southern rap duo UGK, was found dead in a hotel room in Hollywood earlier today. He was 33. According to TMZ.com, the rapper, born Chad Butler, was found unresponsive by the L.A. County Fire Department in his bed at the Mondrian Hotel on the Sunset Strip. One of the more distinctive voices in hip-hop over the past decade, Pimp C started UGK with partner Bun B in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas in 1987. He appeared on dozens of recordings for other artists, most notably perhaps on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin." UGK released their first LP in five years, UGK (Underground Kingz) (Jive), earlier this fall. www.pimpcmusic.com
