Rapper Pimp C overdosed on codeine cough syrup

[nEone]

I've never heard of this combo before - so maybe it's just a Southern thing.

From the AP -

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Influential Southern rapper Pimp C died of an accidental overdose of a combination of drugs he had named in his lyrics -- codeine and promethazine, the county coroner's office ruled Monday.

The drugs are key ingredients in "syrup," a narcotic of choice in Southern rap circles that was most famously celebrated by Three 6 Mafia and Pimp C's group Underground Kingz in the 2000 single "Sippin' on some Syrup."

The coroner's office said Pimp C had sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing for up to 30 seconds at a time while sleeping. That illness combined with large amounts of prescription-strength cough syrup is what killed the rapper, coroner's Capt. Ed Winter said.

DJ Screw, another influential figure in the Texas hip-hop scene, died of a heart attack in 2000 after a reported overdose of codeine-laced cough syrup.

Pimp C, born Chad Butler, was 33 when he was found in his bed December 4 at the upscale Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood. The coroner's office said his body was decomposing when it was found.

With partner-in-rhyme Bun B, Pimp C was half of the pioneering Port Arthur, Texas-based rap duo UGK. The group's self-titled CD topped the Billboard charts last year. Pimp C had been working on a solo effort before he died.

[FrankenChrist]

Don't they mean szzirp :P

[Mint boi]

^^^ lol
i think it was "Sizzurp" but now thats just splitting hairs.
I've always wondered how "syrup" is so popular, especially in this case, I mean surely a big rapper would be able to get something a little more hardcore or suited to his profession!! Always sad to see someone OD though.

[fnord]

Where do they get this syrup? isn't it RX only?

. The coroner's office said his body was decomposing when it was found.

Why did they include that? Thats just sick imagine his friends and family reading that?

[lulz]

Seems like quite a reckless drug of abuse. Apparently Phenergan w/ codeine is a very common codeine based cough syrup, and according to this table it contains 480 mg of codeine per bottle.

Considering the LD-50 of codeine is 800 mg I'm surprised that ODs aren't more common among rappers who apparently drink a lot of the stuff. I hardly imagine they carefully measure out each dose while intoxicated, and at 10 mg per 5 ml it must be quite easy to consume larger amounts of codeine than intended.