Michael “5000” Watts, the Houston DJ, producer, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Swishahouse, has died. His death was confirmed by individuals close to the Houston hip-hop community.

Watts’ family said in a statement that he had been hospitalized for a week after being admitted with serious health complications. The family later confirmed that he developed Torsades de Pointes, a fatal heart rhythm.

Watts was a central figure in the rise of Houston’s independent rap scene and is widely credited with helping shape the city’s signature chopped-and-screwed sound. He founded Swishahouse in the early 1990s, turning it from a local DJ crew into one of the most influential independent hip-hop collectives in the South.

Through Swishahouse, Watts played a key role in the careers of numerous Houston artists, including Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, and Mike Jones. The collective became known for its prolific mixtape output, regional street distribution, and its role in pushing Houston rap into national visibility during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Watts began his career as a DJ while still in high school, selling mixtapes locally before building a following across Texas and the broader Southern rap circuit. His work as a tastemaker helped establish mixtapes as a primary vehicle for artist discovery long before digital platforms became standard in the music industry.

In addition to his work as a DJ and producer, Watts was also an entrepreneur who navigated major-label partnerships while maintaining Swishahouse’s independent roots. Under his leadership, the label secured distribution deals and chart success while continuing to prioritize local talent and Houston’s regional sound.