After passing out during a Texas performance, US rapper Big Pokey has passed away.
On stage, the performer, whose real name was Milton Powell, fell backwards on Saturday during a Juneteenth-themed event at a bar.
Before the 48-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital, bystanders sprang to the 48-year-old's aid. Sunday saw his death.
According to a statement from his publicist, "He was well loved by his family, his friends, and his devoted fans.".
The statement continued, referring to the rapper's debut album, "Big Pokey will forever be 'The Hardest Pit In The Litter!'".
When Powell was performing at Beaumont's Pour09 Bar, a video of him falling backwards while holding his microphone went viral on social media.
According to a Beaumont Police spokeswoman, paramedics were called just before midnight local time. There is no information on the cause of death.
Powell's most notable contribution to hip-hop was as a founding member of the influential Houston-based group Screwed Up Click.
By lowering the pitch and tempo of the underlying track, it helped create the "chopped-and-screwed" sound that the city is known for today.
When Powell appeared on Paul Wall's single Sittin Sidewayz in 2005, it peaked at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also appeared on Megan Thee Stallion's Southside Royalty Freestyle last year.
Juice J, Slim Thug, and Lil Flip are a few of the artists who have honored Powell.
"He moved with honor and respect; he was a low-key, modest mountain of a man. On Instagram, the rapper Bun B wrote, "He was easy to love and hard to hate.
