An overdose of cough syrup and a preexisting sleep apnea condition killed Chad Butler, better known as rapper Pimp C, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner. His death has been ruled an accident.

Butler was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel on Dec. 4. He was 33. He’d been in L.A. for a concert with rapper Too $hort.

Though early reports suggested the cough syrup was over-the-counter, assistant chief coroner Ed Winter said the Promethazine/Codeine found in his system was from a prescription-based product.

Winter also cited sleep apnea, a disorder that often causes blockage of the airway during sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, the condition affects more than 12 million Americans. Winter suggested that Pimp C’s family was aware he suffered from the condition. – [ SOURCE ]

I ain’t gonna lie, I think I’m one of the 12 million. But the kid don’t drink cough syrup. I don’t understand that lean culture fam. Cough syrup has ALWAYS tasted bad to me. So I couldn’t put it in the kool-aid.

Three 6 Mafia - “On Some Chrome” (feat. Pimp C).

E was up on it first. So props to that dude!

Legendary rap group UGK will reportedly have one less member as media outlets and blogs got the internet on fire with the news of Pimp C’s passing (Wikipedia already updated) in a Hollywood hotel. This news will send a monstrous ripple throughout the hip-hop community and abroad that will collectively sound like a wave of “You BSing!” or “WHAT? Stop It!” Pimp C, Chad Butler, recently had hip-hop all ears with now his infamous comments on rappers and drug dealers embellishing their exploits, his views on Atlanta, and Russell Simmons supposed down-low status. Not one for mencing words. However, what will be billed as his true legacy will be Pimp C’s discography (which stretches from the mid-80’s to the present) that inspired many rappers of past, present, and future.

TMZ reporting:

Pimp C, real name Chad Butler — and one half of the rap duo UGK, was found dead in a hotel room this morning. He was 33.

L.A. County Fire responded to a 911 call at the Mondrian Hotel, located on trendy Sunset Strip in Hollywood. They arrived to his sixth floor hotel room to find him dead in bed.

UGK is best known for appearing on the Jay-Z track “Big Pimpin’” in 2000, and more recently with Outkast on the song “International Player’s Anthem (I Choose You).” Pimp C had just performed with fellow rapper Too Short at the “House of Blues” in L.A. on Saturday night. — [ Source ]

Update: Jive Records Releases Statement:

It is with great sadness that Jive Records announces the passing of Chad “Pimp C” Butler, a member of the celebrated rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Jive Records’ President and CEO Barry Weiss states: “We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I’ve known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family.”

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler’s father was a trumpet player who played professionally with Solomon Burke. Outside of his father, the 33-year old rapper’s influences varied, ranging from Bobby Bland, Jimmy McGriff, the 1960’s Motown artists to Run DMC. Butler met his inseparable partner Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in high school where they formed UGK. In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records and went on release a total of eight albums for the label. They earned their highest achievement earlier this year when their most recent album, UGK (Underground Kingz), debuted in the number one position on the album pop chart. According to the New York Times, UGK “helped inspire a generation of Southern hip-hop stars, from OutKast to Lil Wayne.”

Bun B is not available for comment at this time.