R.I.P

This weekend, Big Moe, member of Houston?s famed Screwed Up Click, died at the age of thirty-three. The rapper had been hospitalized at Houston?s Ben Taub hospital for nearly a week before reportedly succumbing to a heart attack on Sunday. With his sad demise, Big Moe becomes the fifth member of the Screwed Up Click to die prematurely. Crew founder DJ Screw, who created the ?chopped and screwed? style of remixing, died after suffering a codeine-induced heart attack in 2000. Two original members and brothers, Fat Pat and Big Hawk, were both shot to death; Fat Pat in 1998, Big Hawk in May of 2006. Another member, Big Mello, perished in a 2002 car accident. Just to show that the S.U.C.?s bad luck extends beyond death, there?s Dat Boy Grace, who is serving prison time in Mississippi for felony gun charges. We guess the moral of the story is, if you?re going to join the Screwed Up Click, make sure you fill out some life insurance forms ? and don’t take on any monikers that emphasize your unhealthy physique.

The entertainer, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was arrested in a federal sting Saturday after his bodyguard-turned-informant delivered three machine guns and two silencers to the hip-hop star, according to a Justice Department statement.

Authorities said that Harris, 27, provided the bodyguard $12,000 to buy the weapons, which Harris is not allowed to own because he is a convicted felon. Court documents said Harris was convicted on felony drug charges in 1998, and a federal affidavit said he has been arrested on gun charges in the past.

However, one of his attorneys, Dwight Thomas, said Sunday he was not aware Harris was a convicted felon and that "a number of people" live in Harris' suburban Atlanta home. Thomas added there were "two sides to every story -- sometimes three" and he was confident the legal system would work in Harris' favor.

On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead in a Mondrian Hotel room in West Hollywood, California, after The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 911 call. They arrived to his sixth floor hotel room to find him dead in bed.

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.