Access Unlocked Friday, January 30, 2026 — Michael “5000” Watts, the legendary DJ, producer, engineer, and founder of Swishahouse Records, has died. Widely regarded as the pioneer of chopped and screwed music, Watts leaves behind an enduring legacy that reshaped Southern hip‑hop and influenced generations of artists.
Watts, who began his career in the late 1980s, passed away at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas. His death was attributed to torsades de Pointes, a rare and fatal heart rhythm that resulted in sudden cardiac arrest.
According to reports, the father of five was surrounded by his wife and loved ones at the time of his passing.
