American rapper Big Pokey dies on stage at a concert, aged 45

The authorities announced Sunday morning June 18 the death of Milton Powell, better known by his stage name Big Pokey. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner paid him a glowing tribute. “Although many called him ‘low key’, his presence was larger than life to help catapult our hip hop scene nationwide”, he tweeted.

The causes of his death are still unknown. The American press as well as relatives of Big Pokey reported the death of the rapper from Houston after his collapse during a concert in Beaumont, Texas. Videos of the scene were circulating on social networks as early as Saturday evening. According to the press (link in English)the emergency services had tried in vain to revive him on the spot before taking him to the hospital.

For the Los Angeles Times (link in English), the Big Pokey, Houston’s pioneering rapper helped transform the city’s hip-hop scene. The interpreter of Who Dat Talking Down has multiplied collaborations in recent years. His first album The Hardest Pit in the Litter, released in 1999, had received an enthusiastic reception from critics and the public. In addition to his solo work, Big Pokey was part of Screwed Up Click, an original collective adventure in the world of rap.

Big Pokey’s last studio album, Sensei, was two years ago. Last March, he participated in a mini album (EP) with his accomplice J Dawg, also from Houston.