Houston rapper Big Pokey has died at the age of 48 after collapsing during a show in Texas
Houston rapper Big Pokey has died at the age of 48 after collapsing during a show in Texas
- The ‘Sittin’ Sideways’ star passed away Saturday after video showed him falling backwards while rapping at a show in Beaumont, Texas
- Fellow Houston rapper Bun B announced Big Pokey’s death with a post on Instagram
- Big Pokey’s publicist said his cause of death is still pending as they await autopsy results
Houston rap legend Big Pokey has died aged 48 after collapsing during a performance in Texas.
The ‘Sittin’ Sideways’ star – whose real name is Milton Powell – died Saturday after video showed him falling backwards while rapping at a show in Beaumont, Texas.
A cause of death has not yet been released, as the family awaits autopsy results.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell,” his publicist said. FOX 26.
Big Pokey passed away on June 18, 2023. He was much loved by his family, his friends and his loyal fans.
“In the coming days, we will be releasing information about his celebration of life and how the public can pay their respects.
“We ask that you respect his family and their privacy at this difficult time.
“Big Pokey will forever be ‘The Hardest Pit in the Nest’.”
Houston-based rapper Big Pokey — whose real name is Milton Powell — passed away on Sunday
A video posted online showed him performing at a Juneteenth party at a bar in Beaumont, Texas, when he suddenly collapsed backwards
Soon a crowd gathered around him, with a woman claiming to be a nurse rushing towards him
Big Pokey had previously been seen at a Juneteenth show at Pour 09 Bar in Beaumont where he was filmed holding a microphone when he suddenly collapsed.
Soon a crowd gathered around him, with a woman claiming to be a nurse rushing towards him.
Beaumont police were then dispatched to the bar around 12:03 a.m. Sunday morning to assist fire and ambulance crews. according to 12 News Now.
The rapper was then rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he died, Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8 Judge Tom Gillam III told the local news station.
Big Pokey was a member of Screwed Up Circle, a group of rappers from Houston.
He began his rap career in the early 1990s with Houston producer DJ Screw and was featured on the DJ’s signature mixtape 27 June Freestyle.
Big Pokey then released his own full-length album Hardest Pit in the Litter in 1999.
He also appeared in the 2001 movie Soldiers United for Cash and later starred in Dirty Third 2: Home Sweet Home.
A cause of death has not yet been released pending the results of an autopsy
Big Pokey is pictured here with Paul Wall at the Lil KeKe Legends Only Listening Party Dinner at Five Central Houston on Feb. 8
Fellow rapper Bun B was the first to announce his death with a post on Instagram on Sunday
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted, “Though many called him “low key,” his presence was larger than life to catapult our hip-hop scene nationally. We are grateful’
Fellow Houston rapper Bun B was the first to announce his death with a message on Instagram on Sunday.
“Low, humble mountain of a man who moved with honor and respect. He was easy to love and hard to hate,” he wrote.
“There will never be another and we will be sorely missed. We love you and honor you. Rest in heaven.’
Another Houston rap legend, Slim Thug, said on social media that it’s a “sad day in town” and that he’s sending “prayers to his family.”
DJ Spydermann also tweeted: ‘He was one of the toughest out of the SUC and it saddens me to say rest in peace. We’ve lost another legend.’
Others remembered him online as a “Texas legend.”
And Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted, “While many called him “low key,” his presence was larger than life to catapult our hip-hop scene nationally.
“We are grateful.”