From KHOU
The Swishahouse family is mourning the loss of Michael “5000” Watts, the legendary Houston music figure credited with helping define Southern hip-hop’s sound and spirit.
In a statement released Friday, Swishahouse co-founder OG-Ron C called Watts a founder, visionary and “cultural architect” of the influential label, saying the team is announcing his passing with “profound sorrow.” Watts died Friday at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, surrounded by love, respect and the legacy he built.
Watts was described as more than a founder -- “he was a movement.” As the creator of Swishahouse Records, he helped shape Houston hip-hop from neighborhood streets to international stages, expanding the city’s chopped and screwed legacy and turning mixtape culture into a worldwide phenomenon. The statement says he gave a platform to voices that would go on to define an era of music.
Through Swishahouse, Watts introduced and elevated countless artists, DJs and producers while building a brand built on authenticity, independence and cultural pride. Swishahouse became synonymous with innovation, hustle and community, producing legendary mixtapes, influencing radio culture and impacting generations of artists across hip-hop and beyond. His work helped put Houston on the global music map and, according to the statement, cemented the city as a cornerstone of American music history.
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