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Michael '5000' Watts, Swishahouse Founder, Dies at 52

Family says the Swishahouse founder died from torsades de pointes after a brief hospitalization.

Overview

  • He died Jan. 30 from a fatal heart rhythm known as torsades de pointes, his family confirmed, after nearly a week in the hospital.
  • Artists including Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Bun B, Juicy J, DJ Paul, Drumma Boy, and Maxo Kream shared tributes highlighting his mentorship and influence.
  • Watts helped carry Houston’s chopped-and-screwed sound to national audiences through Swishahouse’s mixtapes and his presence on 97.9 The Box.
  • Swishahouse’s mid-2000s joint venture with Asylum Records yielded mainstream success, including platinum albums by Mike Jones and Paul Wall.
  • The family says a community memorial will be announced soon, and he is survived by his wife, Tammy, five children, and two grandchildren.