Michael “5000” Watts, a Houston hip-hop legend and founder of the Swishahouse record label, died Friday. He was 52.
Watts died after developing Torsades de Pointes, a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm condition, his family said in a statement. He had been hospitalized for almost a week for “some tremendous health issues,” his family said Wednesday.
He leaves behind a wife, five children and two grandchildren.
“We truly appreciate the love shown to Michael throughout his career and we ask for continued prayers as we navigate through this very hard journey,” the statement read.
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Watts began his career at 14, before eventually founding Houston-based record label Swishahouse in 1997. The label represented several Houston artists, including Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and Chamillionaire.
Social media users on Friday, shared their condolences for Watt’s family, remembering the Houston artist as a pillar of the community and a pioneer in Southern hip hop.
“I’ll never forget standing outside the Record shop in Bay City in 95′ on Thursday for you to pull up with new swisha house tapes,” one user wrote. “You’ll be missed.”
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