HOUSTON, TX. (THECOUNT) — VIDEO: Rapper ‘Big Pokey: Houston rapper Milton Powell, aka, Big Pokey, died on Sunday after collapsing on stage while performing on Sunday in Beaumont, Texas.
Powell, 45, was performing at Pour09 Bar & Rooftop in Beaumont during a Juneteenth celebration when he experienced a medical episode and collapsed just after midnight. He was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
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In a video circulating on social media, the rapper can be seen holding the microphone, when he exhales and falls backward to a balcony area stage.
The frightening ordeal was caught on video below:
Man Big Pokey just passed out while performing! #bigpokey pic.twitter.com/qB09YfTLlS
— Black James (@blackjamesss) June 18, 2023
A cause of death was not provided as of Sunday morning.
Rapper Bun B posted the following message honoring Big Pokey on his Instagram Sunday morning:
“I wasn’t ready for this. One of the most naturally talented artists in the city. Low key, humble mountain of a man who moved with honor in respect. He was easy to love and hard to hate. He’d pull up, do what he had to do and head home. One of the pillars of our city. If heart of gold was a person. Iconic member of the SUC. There will never be another and will be missed dearly. We love you and honor you Sensei. Rest in heaven.”
Big Pokey was one of the original members of the iconic Screwed Up Click collective that included other Houston legends DJ Screw, Fat Pat, Z-Ro, Lil’ Keke, and Lil’ Flip. He was a Houston native who also played football at Jack Yates High School.
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