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How did Big Pokey die? Houston rapper, 45, collapses on stage while performing in Beaumont

Big Pokey was an original member of the Screw Up Click group and he was considered a pioneer of the Houston Rap Movement

BEAUMONT, TEXAS: Rapper Melvin Powell, better known by his stage name Big Pokey, died on Sunday, June 18, after collapsing on stage during a performance in Beaumont, Texas. He was 45. His cause of death has not been revealed so far. He received CPR from a nurse in the crowd after he collapsed. He was transferred to a hospital shortly after midnight, He died soon after.

As a member of the group Screw up Click, Big Pokey was regarded as a pioneer of the Houston rap movement. He became even more famous with the release of his debut solo album, 'The Hardest Pit in the Litter,' in 1999. He has a number of albums to his credit since. His latest work was 'Sensei' from 2021. The rapper's death was announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account. His representative also told Houston's Fox affiliate KRIV that the autopsy results were awaited to know his cause of death, as reported by Deadline.

How did Big Pokey die?

A video of his performance in a Beaumont pub on Saturday, June 17, showed Pokey rapping and speaking to the crowd when he abruptly gasped and collapsed backwards mid-performance. He was performing at the venue as a featured guest during a Juneteenth-themed show, as per Pour09 Bar & Rooftop's social media posts.

Longtime admirer Kendra Ouzenne, who was there during the Baytown performance, told ABC13, "Poke was one of the influential people of that sound, so it's a sad and hard loss for the Houston community. And music overall as well."

'I wasn’t ready for this'

Fellow Houston rapper, Bun B, paid tribute to Pokey on Instagram. He wrote, "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 and 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 and honor you, Sensei. Rest in heaven."

Pokey's reps wrote, "It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell. Big Pokey passed away on June 18, 2023. He was well-loved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans. In the coming days, we will release information about his celebration of life and how the public can pay their respects. We ask that you respect his family and their privacy during this difficult time. Big Pokey will forever be ‘The Hardest Pit in the Litter.'"

Big Pokey 'died doing what he love'

Tributes poured in for the pioneering rapper as friends and fans took to Twitter to express their grief and shock. One fan wrote, "He died doing what he love. May his soul rest in perfect peace." A second fan wrote, "Rest in Peace Big Pokey A legend in my city." A third exclaimed, "None of the died suddenly's seem to feel somethings coming. They're normal, then dead." Another wrote, "Another one bites the dust on stage from cardiac arrest from vaccination." Someone else typed, "Damn, so much of this s**t going on. All young people too. We know why."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner stated in a tweet, "Though many called him "low key," his presence was larger than life in helping to catapult our hip hop scene nationally." Another fan wrote, "This is so heartbreaking, he was young. I can’t imagine how people who were forced by their employers to take these shots feel, seeing so many vaxxed people die suddenly. No chance of even saving their lives. One minute you’re here, the next you‘re gone." Another one read, "Another SUC legend gone R.I.P. to that boy Big Poyo thanks for making the southside rock and making my eardrums swang and bang since I was kid." "So sad … may his loved ones have strength to deal w a loved ones loss… hopefully they’ll be comforted by knowing he wasn’t injured by someone. Let’s just say it was GOD whom called for his presence! hun," wrote another fan.