Rest in Peace – Chad “Pimp C” Butler 

Port Arthur, TX – Why do
all the good die young? One half of hip hop sensation UGK was laid to
rest in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas last Thursday in a respectable
funeral with a huge gathering. Chad “Pimp C” Butler was 33.  

With a slew of well known rappers,
singers, and industry execs in attendance, including several hundred
of his dedicated fans all arrived at the Robert Bowers Civic Center
at approximately 7:30am to receive admittance into the funeral, Bun
B personally escorted his son Lil Chad into the procession. A list of his longtime brethren and peers that were in attendance included:
Mike Jones, Chamillionaire, David Banner, Rap-A-Lot
Records CEO J. Prince, LeToya Luckett, 8Ball and MJG,
Willie D of the Geto Boys, Slim Thug
and other members of the Boss Hog Outlawz, Big Gipp and
Khujo from the Goodie Mob, Pimp C’s apprentice Webbie
were and even Houston Rocket MVP, Steve Francis.  

The pastor Dr. John R. Randolph
gave a heartfelt eulogy that he said was even hard to write, because
he had to come to understand the terminology of the words we used to
today: 

“It pushed me to my prayers
because I didn’t know how to handle this…this
pimpin’ business, “Sugar Daddy” was a piece of candy on a stick. “Chronic” meant you had a pain. “Mouse” was a rodent to be dealt with a trap and cheese. “He
even said he had come to understand that “Big Pimpin” meant living large – the dream of the kids from the ghetto trying to make good in life.”

Bun B spoke a couple words
to his fallen friend after the funeral: 

“It’s not about the loss,
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 realize, “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 ass!”

Rest in Peace – Chad “Pimp
C” Butler: December 29, 1973 – December
4, 2007 

24hourhiphop.com sends our
condolences to Pimp C’s family and friends, especially Bun B
and Ms. Weslyn “Mama Wes” Monroe. I’m sorry this came a
little late, but I had to say my piece on this. For 15 years, UGK
has been hustling hard on the grind trying to get their music heard,
on the real, I’ve been listening for those past 15 years, and to me
Pimp C was always a lyrical genius. Like I asked in the beginning, “Why do all the good die young?” that answer has never been answered.
C was a legend in my book and always will be. We will always have
his music.


I Am Legend Major
Hit at Box Office 

Los Angeles, CA – The most
requested man in Hollywood does it again in his new sci-fi thriller.
Instead of fighting Aliens, this time Will Smith takes on virus
infected humans as the last man on earth. Based on the book adaptation
written by Richard Matheson, I Am Legend
peaked in as the largest opening for December in film history. The film
grossed in at $76.5 million its opening week, it beat out the third
installment to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was released 2003.
At Press time, a sequel to I Am Legend has not been negotiated yet,
but the deal is currently on the table. 

The estimated ticket sales
for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters are as follows.
According to Media By Numbers, LLC 
 
1. “I Am Legend,” $76.5 million
 
2. “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” $45 million 
 
3. “The Golden Compass,” $9 million

4. “Enchanted,” $6 million 
 
5. “No Country for Old Men,” $3 million 
 
6. “The Perfect Holiday,” $2.97 million

7. “Fred Claus,” $2.3 million

8. “This Christmas,” $2.3 million
 
9. “Atonement,” $1.85 million

10. “August Rush,” $1.8 million 

You know, I had no problem
with this movie, I actually saw it opening weekend, the only thing that
annoyed the hell out of me was the damn lines at the theater. Other
than that, I urge you to check the movie out.  
 

Be on the lookout of the year
end On the Clock: Annual Wrap Up, where I will definitely go over the
events that occurred in the year of 2007 with a deeper analysis. Be on the lookout for that.