Houston rapper Big Pokey dies after collapsing during performance

US rapper Big Pokey has died aft collapsing during a show successful Texas.

The artist, whose existent sanction was Milton Powell, was performing astatine a Juneteenth-themed lawsuit astatine a barroom connected Saturday erstwhile helium fell backwards connected stage.

Witnesses rushed to assistance the 48-year-old earlier helium was taken to a adjacent hospital. He died connected Sunday.

"He was good loved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans," his publicist said successful a statement.

"Big Pokey volition everlastingly beryllium 'The Hardest Pit In The Litter!'", the connection added, a notation to the rapper's debut album.

Video circulating connected societal media showed Powell abruptly autumn backwards with his microphone successful manus portion performing astatine the Pour09 Bar successful Beaumont.

Paramedics were called soon earlier midnight section time, a Beaumont Police spokeswoman told the Houston Chronicle. A origin of decease has not been released.

Powell was champion known arsenic a founding subordinate of the Screwed Up Click, an influential hip-hop corporate of Houston-based artists.

It helped pioneer the city's "chopped-and-screwed" sound, a laid-back, low-slung, benignant produced by slowing the transportation and tempo of the underlying track.

Powell charted successful the Billboard Hot 100 erstwhile helium appeared connected the Paul Wall azygous Sittin Sidewayz successful 2005. And past year, helium featured connected Megan Thee Stallion's Southside Royalty Freestyle.

Various artists, including Juice J, Slim Thug and Lil Flip, person paid tribute to Powell.

"Low key, humble upland of a antheral who moved with honour and respect. He was casual to emotion and hard to hate," the rapper Bun B wrote connected Instagram.