HOUSTON,TX – Houston hip-hop pioneer DJ Michael “5000” Watts, best known for helping popularize the city’s signature “chopped and screwed” sound, has been hospitalized after experiencing serious health issues, according to a statement released by his family.
“For the past week, Michael 5000 Watts has experienced some tremendous health issues that have caused him to be hospitalized,” the family shared. “We are asking the community, fans, followers, and all that he has impacted to pray for him.”
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The statement, released January 28, 2025, thanked supporters for the outpouring of love and encouragement the family has received. They said they are trusting God for healing and asked that hospital visits be limited unless approved by the family due to current restrictions. The Watts family said they will continue to share updates as they become available.
For many in Houston and beyond, Michael “5000” Watts is more than a DJ; he is a key figure in Southern hip-hop.
A Houston-based DJ, producer, and founder of Swishahouse Records, Watts began his career in the late 1980s in the city’s Homestead neighborhood. He first gained attention by creating mixtapes that quickly spread throughout Houston. In the 1990s, he shifted to a slower mixing style that helped shape what would become the iconic “chopped and screwed” sound, a style that helped put Houston’s underground hip-hop scene on the global music map.
Through Swishahouse Records, Watts played an important role in building the careers of several well-known Houston artists, including Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and others. His mixtapes helped introduce local talent to wider audiences at a time when Southern artists often struggled to gain mainstream recognition.
In addition to his work with Swishahouse, Watts has been a longtime voice on Houston radio. As a familiar presence on 97.9 The Box, he helped guide the sound and culture of Houston hip-hop both on the air and behind the scenes, further cementing his influence on the city’s music scene.
Beyond his work as a DJ and producer, Watts has remained a respected and steady presence in Houston’s music community, known for his long-standing commitment to supporting local artists and preserving the city’s sound. His influence can still be heard in today’s hip-hop, especially in the continued use of slowed and chopped vocal styles.
Since news of his hospitalization became public, fans, artists, and supporters have shared prayers, messages of encouragement, and memories across social media, highlighting the lasting impact of his decades-long career.
The Watts family thanked the public for their continued prayers and support and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.