Houston-born rapper, Big Pokey, dies performing on stage at 45

Big Pokey, a rapper from Houston who was born Milton Powell, passed away at the age of 45.
Late on Saturday night, while performing at a pub in nearby Beaumont, Texas, the rapper passed out on stage.
Pokey was conversing with a DJ on stage while holding a microphone, as shown in video clips from the event, when he exhaled heavily, lost his balance, and collapsed on stage.
Security personnel as well as a lady posing as a nurse flocked to his side to provide aid. After the EME arrived a little after midnight, Pokey was finally taken to the hospital. The hospital declared the rapper deceased.

A message posted on the rapper's official Instagram profile announced the rapper's passing.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton 'Big Pokey' Powell," the statement begins.
"Big Pokey died... " His devoted followers, friends, and family all adored him. We will provide details on his memorial service and how the public can pay their respects in the following days.
"In this trying time, we ask that you respect his family's privacy. "Big Pokey will always be known as 'The Hardest Pit in the Litter!'"
Remember that Pokey gained notoriety after DJ Screw and he worked together to popularize the chopped-and-screwed technique in the South?
Before his passing, the late Pokey produced innumerable bodies of work.