Houston rapper “Big Pokey,” also known as Milton Powell, died in Beaumont, Texas, on Saturday after collapsing at a bar following a show.
The rap legend had reportedly just performed as part of a Juneteenth celebration when he experienced a medical incident, with ABC 13 citing local officials to confirm that Powell died though the cause of death is unclear.
It’s being reported that Powell died while on stage, but a video making the rounds online shows him collapsing on a walkway above a bar. He’s holding a microphone at the time and can be heard taking a deep breath before falling backward — it’s not clear if this is the same incident.
Popular Houston rapper Big Pokey dies after collapsing on stage. This video was released on Twitter, but it is not clear that this was the event. Does anyone know if this is what happened? https://t.co/3wOEg2FEIL
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) June 19, 2023
Fellow Houston rapper Bun B announced Powell’s passing in an Instagram post.
“I wasn’t ready for this,” the post began. “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.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner took to Twitter to pay tribute to the rapper.
“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.”
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 pic.twitter.com/5VI7nAL2V2
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) June 18, 2023
While there is nothing to suggest that his death may be related to Covid-19 vaccinations, there has been an increase in young people collapsing from cardiac arrest. The fact checkers are quick to point out that there is no direct evidence to support any connection. The Covid vaccines carry a risk of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, though the common response is that the benefits of the jab outweigh the risks.
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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