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He became famous as a member of Screwed Up Click, an influential group of artists based in Houston
American rapper Big Bucky has died after collapsing during a show in Texas.
The artist, whose real name is Milton Powell, was performing at a Juneteenth-themed event in a pub on Saturday when he fell backwards onto stage.
Witnesses rushed to help the 48-year-old before he was taken to a nearby hospital. He died on Sunday.
“He was loved by his family, friends and loyal fans,” his publicist said in a statement.
“Big Bucky Will Forever Be The Hardest Hole In The Garbage!”, the statement added, referring to the rapper’s debut album. “
A video circulating on social media showed Powell suddenly falling backwards with his microphone in hand while performing at the Pour09 pub in Beaumont.
Paramedics were called shortly before midnight local time, a Beaumont police spokeswoman told the Houston Chronicle. The cause of death has not been released.
Powell is best known as a founding member of Screwed Up Click, an influential hip hop collective of Houston-based artists.
It helped pioneer the city’s “chopped and screwed-up” sound, a laid-back, low-slung style produced by slowing down the tempo of the underlying track.
Powell charted in the Billboard Hot 100 when he was featured on Paul Wall’s single Sittin Sidewayz in 2005. Last year, he was featured on Megan Thee Stallion’s Southside Royalty Freestyle.
Several artists, including Juice J, Slim Thug, and Lil Flip, have paid tribute to Powell.
“Low, humble mountain for a man moved with honor and respect. It was easy to love and hard to hate,” rapper Bun B wrote on Instagram.
“Lifelong beer expert. General travel enthusiast. Social media buff. Zombie maven. Communicator.”