Milton “Big Pokey” Powell, an influential rapper in Houston’s vibrant music scene, collapsed suddenly while performing on stage in Beaumont, Texas, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Big Pokey was among the esteemed lineup of artists participating in the Juneteenth celebration at the Pour09 Bar & Rooftop lounge.
His sudden death was announced on Instagram by his publicist, leaving the music community in shock and disbelief.
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.”
The shocking incident, which took place during his performance, was captured on video by @blackjamesss and quickly spread across social media platforms. The footage shows the 45-year-old artist visibly struggling to breathe before collapsing backward on the stage.
Watch:
Immediate medical intervention was initiated by a healthcare professional who happened to be in the audience, promptly administering CPR. Additionally, a police officer was present at the scene. Soon after, emergency responders swiftly arrived to transport the unconscious rapper to a nearby hospital.
Tragically, despite the combined efforts of the medical team, Big Pokey’s unknown condition proved hopeless, and he tragically passed away shortly after midnight.
The sudden death of Big Pokey will be investigated. The exact cause of his death remains unknown, pending the results of an autopsy.
In response to the tragic incident, Pour09 Bar & Rooftop took to their Facebook page to release a statement expressing their condolences and addressing the incident.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, representing the city of Houston, extended heartfelt condolences and offered prayers to the bereaved loved ones of Big Pokey.
The City of Houston and I extend our prayers and condolences to our own Screwed Up Click legendary rapper #BigPokey family and friends. Though many called him “low key”, his presence was larger than life in helping to catapult our hip hop scene nationally. We are grateful. st
