Michael “5000” Watts died on January 30th at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands.
The Houston Hip-Hop pioneer had been fighting serious health complications for over a week. His family first asked for prayers on January 28 when they revealed he was hospitalized with what they called “tremendous health issues.” Watts developed a “fatal heart rhythm called torsades de Pointes,” which caused Watts to suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Watts underwent major medical procedures during his hospital stay, but unfortunately was it not enough to save his life.He is survived by his wife Tammie Watts, five children and two grandchildren.
Watts founded Swishahouse in 1997 and brought the syrupy chopped-and-screwed style from Houston to the masses. The DJ and superproducer played an integral role in launching the careers of stars like Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and Chamillionaire. Swishahouse went on to become a powerhouse label in hip-hop in the 2000s. That style change transformed Houston Hip-Hop forever. Watts took the chopped and screwed sound and made it his own, creating a whole new wave of music that put the city on the map. He started spinning fast-paced mixtapes before learning the slower chopped and screwed technique that DJ Screw created. The label became a powerhouse in Southern Hip-Hop, signing artists who would become household names nationwide. In more recent years, Watts hosted a night slot on Houston’s 97.9 The Box radio station where he played a Swishahouse mix.
A community event honouring Watts’ enduring legacy is set to be announced in the coming days. Billboard has reached out to Swishahouse for comment.