HOUSTON (AP) 鈥 Milton Powell, a Houston rapper who performed under the name Big Pokey and is credited with elevating the city's hip-hop scene, died after collapsing during a show in Texas, a local official said Monday.
Tom Gillam III, a justice of the peace in Jefferson County, where Powell was performing when he collapsed Sunday, said an autopsy to determine the cause of death was pending. He said Powell was 48.
Powell was a member of Houston's rap collective Screwed Up Click that was formed by the late . Powell was performing at a bar in Beaumont called Pour09, whose owner, Min Dai, that police were on onsite and able to provide medical help 鈥渋nstantly鈥 before emergency responders rushed the rapper to a hospital.
A statement on Powell's official Instagram page said he was "well loved by his family, friends, and his loyal fans."
Tributes from other artists poured in across social media.
Rapper Bun B called Powell 鈥渙ne of the most naturally talented artists" in Houston.
鈥淗e鈥檇 pull up, do what he had to do and head home. One of the pillars of our city,鈥 Bun B said on Instagram.
