Video of Big Pokey Collapsing on Stage Before Sudden Death Goes Viral; Fans Pay Tributes [WATCH]

A video of Big Pokey's collapse during his Beaumont, Texas, performance on Saturday has since gone viral following his sudden death.

Rapper Big Pokey, a veteran Houston rapper whose real name was Melvin Powell, died at the age of 45 after suddenly losing consciousness while performing on stage.

Video of Big Pokey Collapsing on Stage Goes Viral, Fans Pay Tribute

The now-viral clip of the rapper's performance captured the rapper having a hard time breathing as he gasped in mid-lyric before ultimately falling on his back.

According to Deadline, a nurse in the crowd immediately responded and performed CPR to regain his consciousness before he was taken to a hospital. However, he passed away shortly after midnight.

Following the news, fans paid tribute to the rapper, while others condemned those who had been showing disrespect by sharing the video of the collapse.

"Damn...rest in peace, Big Pokey. A true legend in the game," Rocker Fuel Pod co-host Vator wrote. "Prayers and condolences to the family. His music influenced so many people in this city. Had the hardest freestyle I've heard in my life to this day on June 27th. If you from Houston you know this word for word."

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He also shared another video of rapper Big Pokey's performance in which he called the late hip-hop star "a legend" in his city.

The venue shared a message to fans Sunday through Facebook and asked them to keep the rapper in their prayers.

Meanwhile, other fans and colleagues expressed their dismay as the Big Pokey's video continues to go viral following his death. Some called out those internet users who have been reposting the clip, asking them to show "little respect, human decency, and compassion" amid another trying time in the hip-hop industry.

Big Pokey's Legacy

Following the news, his publicist later issued a statement to the local news station KRIV and confirmed his demise. The representative said the family would release details regarding his celebration of life and the ways the public could offer their respects to the rapper.

But for now, the representative asked people to respect his family and their privacy.

Big Pokey started his career as a freestyle rapper and founding member of Screwed Up Click before marking his solo debut with the LP "Hardest Pit" in 1999. Among his music projects, his appearance on Screw's "June 27^th" and Paul Wall's "Sittin' Sidewayz" garnered the most attention.

Before his death, he was still able to release "Sensei" in 2021 and collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion in "Southside Royalty Freestyle."

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