Swishahouse Founder DJ Michael ‘5000’ Watts Passes Away At 52

Michael '5000' Watts

Photo: Getty Images

DJ Michael “5000” Watts, the founder of Swishahouse Records and a pioneer of the “chopped & screwed” genre, has died.

Watts’ family confirmed that the veteran DJ passed away in a hospital on Friday night, January 30, while surrounded by his loved ones. In a statement posted to Swishahouse’s Instagram account, his family explained that Watts had “developed a fatal heart rhythm called torsades de Pointes causing a sudden cardiac death.” He was only 52.

We truly appreciate the love shown to Michael throughout his career, and we ask for continued prayers as we navigate through this very hard journey,” the family’s statement says.

“Michael ‘5000’ Watts was more than a founder, he was a movement,” said Swishahouse co-founder OG Ron-C. “Beyond the music, Michael Watts was a mentor, a cultural curator, and a builder of opportunity. He believed in ownership, creativity, and the power of storytelling through sound.”

Born in Houston, Michael ‘5000’ Watts started his music career when he was 14. In 1997, he co-founded Swishahouse as a mixtape record label that capitalized on the “chopped & screwed” movement that DJ Screw began. The label distributed multiple mixtape series and eventually became the home of homegrown acts like Mike Jones and Paul Wall.

Watts was hospitalized earlier this week due to “serious health issues.” Since then, artists like Paul Wall and Slim Thug asked their fans to pray for the Houston legend. Since his death, fellow Texas artists like Bun B, Trae Tha Truth, Dorrough Music and others have paid tribute to the iconic artist.

Rest in peace, DJ Michael “5000” Watts. See more tributes to the late Houston artist below.