Bun B — as well as the rest of the Texas rap community — is currently in mourning as it’s been revealed that Houston rap legend Big Pokey has died.
The UGK rapper took to Instagram on Sunday (June 18) to confirm the passing of the Screwed Up Click rapper (real name Milton Powell). A cause of death is not yet known.
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“I wasn’t ready for this,” Bun wrote alongside a photograph of Big Pokey. “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.”
Later in the day, after Bun’s post, Big Pokey’s family shared a statement via the rapper’s official Instagram account.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell,” it began. “Big Pokey passed away on June 18, 2023. He was well loved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans.”
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The statement then went on to say that the family would release information about his “celebration of life” and how the public can pay their respects in the coming days, adding: “We ask that you respect his family and their privacy during this difficult time.”
Check out the statement below:
The news comes after a video started doing the rounds online early Sunday morning which showed Big Pokey collapsing on stage during a Juneteenth performance at Pour 09 Bar & Rooftop in Beaumont, Texas.
It’s not been made clear what caused the rapper to collapse during his set, but many have flooded social media to pay their respects to Big Pokey, who besides putting out his own music has featured on songs with DJ Screw, Lil Keke, Slim Thug, Lil Flip, Mike Jones, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall and many others.
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“#RIPBIGPOKEY Sad day in the city,” Slim Thug wrote on Instagram. “Htown legend [three crown emojis] SUC HOF. Hardest Pit. Prayers to his family [three prayer hand emojis]. Prayers to SUC [three prayer hand emojis].”
Trae Tha Truth recalled getting a call about the Sensei rapper’s death and how it left him lost. “I sat and layed here Staring in tha dark,” he wrote in an IG post. “All i could do is pray God Take you under his Wing… This shit Unreal… I Thank you For The Call a few weeks Ago & I Will Keep my Word… Love ya bro… You Always Remained Solid , You One Of Tha Greatest To Do It.. [broken heart emoji, blue emoji, praying hands emoji]. #RIPBigPokey #SUC4Life.”
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“This one hurt #RIPBIGPOKEY,” King Kyle Lee wrote. “I went from being a fan to being on a song with you. I can’t believe your last post is with me on it. The love you showed me was unmatched. Thank you for being so solid & an all around stand up individual. The hardest in the litter [bicep curl emoji]. Forever Sensi [praying hands emoji].
DJ Paul took to Twitter to pay his respects, writing: “Mannn Big Pokey [three praying hands emojis and face palm emoji]. This is Crazy! That Video Was Hard To Watch But Atleast You Was Doing What U Love Brother. [three praying hands emojis] #bigpokey.”
Born November 29, 1977, Big Pokey began his rap career in the early ’90s as one of the original members of DJ Screw’s Screwed Up Click. Appearing on a number of the late DJ’s iconic underground tapes, one of Pokey’s most notable features came on Screw’s lengthy “June 27th Freestyle” — which Drake later sampled on his So Far Gone cut “November 18th.”
On his verse, he spits: “Sittin’ sideways, boys in a daze/ On a Sunday night I might bang me some Maze.” This was later recycled and sampled on the hook of Paul Wall’s “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” the lead single from his 2005 major label debut, The People’s Champ. Pokey also has his own verse on the song.
In 1999, the Houston rapper released his debut album, Hardest Pit in the Litter, followed a year later by his second LP, D-Game 2000. Pokey would go on to release several other albums and mixtapes including collaborative projects with Chris Ward (Mob 4 Life), Lil Keke (Since the Grey Tapes Vol.3) and E.S.G. (Screwed Up Gorillaz).
Big Pokey’s most recent full-length release was 2021’s Sensei, which features appearances from Lil Keke, Devin The Dude, Chamillionaire, Kirko Bangz, Killa Kyleon, Lil’ O and more.
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Following his passing, Bun B urged fans to head to their DSP of choice and stream Sensei, with the hope of getting it to No. 1.
“Let’s get on all the streaming platforms and make this the number one album in the country today,” he wrote in Instagram. “Jump on @youtube @spotify @applemusic @tidal @pandora and anywhere else for the legend @sucbigpokey today. Let’s send his family a message that we loved him! Long Live Big Pokey!”
Check out more tributes to Big Pokey below:
