Michael “5000” Watts, the influential DJ, producer, and founder of the Swishahouse record label, has died at the age of 52. The Houston hip-hop legend passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, after being hospitalized with serious health complications. His family confirmed he developed a fatal heart rhythm condition known as Torsades de Pointes, which led to his sudden death. He died surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Tammie, and is survived by five children and two grandchildren.
Watts was a central figure in shaping Houston’s music scene and helping popularize the distinctive Southern hip-hop style known as chopped and screwed. He began his career as a DJ in his teens and went on to co-found Swishahouse in 1997, turning it into one of the most important independent hip-hop labels of the South. Under his leadership, the label helped launch the careers of artists such as Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and Chamillionaire.
Swishahouse became known for its mixtapes and for pushing Houston’s sound into the mainstream, including a breakthrough moment with hits like “Still Tippin’.” Watts’s influence extended beyond producing records, as he also hosted radio shows and performed around the world, helping put Houston hip-hop on a global stage.
Fans, fellow artists, and members of the music community have taken to social media to express their condolences and celebrate Watts’s legacy. Many described him as a mentor, innovator, and cultural force whose work helped define a generation of Southern rap and established Houston as a cornerstone of hip-hop culture.
