Big Pokey was a longtime rapper in the “chopped and screwed” scene out of Houston and a founding member of the Screwed Up Click collective.
- Died: June 18, 2023 (Who else died on June 18?)
- Details of death: Died in Beaumont, Texas, at the age of 48.
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Big Pokey’s legacy
Born Milton Powell in Houston, he was better known by his stage name, Big Pokey. Pokey began rapping in the early 1990s with DJ Screw, who would help pioneer the “chopped and screwed” scene, a style of hip-hop involving slowed down beats, cut up and erratic samples, and scratching. Pokey was one of the early stars of the style, appearing on DJ Screw’s breakthrough mixtape, “June 27th Freestyle.”
In 1999, Pokey released his debut album, “Hardest Pit in the Litter.” It landed on the Billboard charts and established him as a notable figure in the Houston rap scene. A year later, he released “D-Game 2000,” which did equally well, and then “Da Sky’s Da Limit” in 2002. That album proved to be his best performing, landing at #47 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop charts.
Pokey also collaborated with several other artists including Paul Wall on “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” and most recently with Megan Thee Stallion on “Southside Royalty Freestyle.” His most recent album was “Sensei,” released in 2021. He was also part of the Screwed Up Click collective out of Houston, a scene was led by DJ Screw including artists like Big Hawk, the Botany Boyz, and Lil’ Flip.
Tributes to Big Pokey
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
