Beaumont, Texas – US rapper Big Pokey, whose real name was Milton Powell, tragically passed away after collapsing during a performance at a Juneteenth-themed event in Texas. The 45-year-old artist fell backwards on stage at the Pour09 Bar in Beaumont on Saturday. Despite immediate assistance from witnesses, he was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his condition on Sunday. Big Pokey’s publicist issued a statement expressing the immense love and support he received from his family, friends, and dedicated fans.
“He was well loved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans,” stated his publicist. The statement further commemorated Big Pokey as “The Hardest Pit In The Litter!“, a nod to his acclaimed debut album.
Videos of the incident circulated on social media, capturing the moment Powell unexpectedly fell backwards with his microphone while performing. Emergency medical services were promptly summoned around midnight local time, according to a Beaumont Police spokeswoman. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed to the public.
Big Pokey gained prominence as a founding member of the Screwed Up Click, a Houston-based hip-hop collective that played a pivotal role in pioneering the city’s distinctive “chopped-and-screwed” sound. This style, characterized by a laid-back and slowed-down tempo, emerged from manipulating the pitch and speed of the original tracks.
In loving memory of Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell
Notably, Powell achieved recognition on the Billboard Hot 100 with his appearance on the Paul Wall single “Sittin Sidewayz” in 2005. Additionally, he collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on the Southside Royalty Freestyle last year.
Numerous artists, including Juice J, Slim Thug, and Lil Flip, have paid tribute to Powell. Highlighting his humble nature and remarkable character. Rapper Bun B expressed his sentiments on Instagram, writing, “I wasn’t ready for this… Low key, humble mountain of a man who moved with honor and respect. He was easy to love and hard to hate.“
In addition, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner paid tribute to the “legendary” Big Pokey on behalf of the city in a statement on Sunday.
In a 2019 interview with K-Rino Radio, Big Pokey credited the start of his career to meeting DJ Screw, who developed the style. “I ain’t ever touched a mic until I met Screw,” he confessed. “As far as music, I hadn’t done anything other than freestyling over somebody’s beats.”
Furthermore, he concluded, “It all starts somewhere. Everything triggers something else. That’s the name of the game, that’s the beauty in it.”
In 1999, Big Pokey debuted with “Hardest Pit in the Litter,” the first of five solo studio albums. 20 years later the rapper stated that he was shocked! “The Screw Movement, that’s kind of what did it,” Milton explained. “I didn’t know that this was my future. It was just a little music.”
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An entity of flesh and bones in pursuit of becoming a higher being. A connoisseur of the mystic arts and everything musical. His origins are unknown, and so are his true motives.
