He wavered back and forth before falling backward with the microphone still in his hand. Milton "Big Pokey" Powell passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023, doing what he loved.

Big Pokey had collapsed mid-song while performing at Pour09 Bar and Rooftop in Beaumont, TX, before a packed crowd. Police and EMTs were immediately called and arrived on the scene in minutes to begin CPR on the unconscious rapper. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter. It is suspected that he died of cardiac arrest, but the cause of death has not been officially declared. Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam III of Jefferson County said an autopsy was pending.

The entertainer, whose career began in the 1990s, was a Houston native who graduated from the historic Jack Yates High School in Third Ward. He rose on the music scene as one of the original members of the Screwed Up Click, founded by DJ Screw, with that unique sound of chopped and screwed music. His first solo album, "Hardest Pit in the Litter," dropped in 1999, with five others to follow. Throughout his career, he collaborated with the best, making the Billboard Hot 100 with Paul Wall’s "Sittin’ Sideways" and having music featured on HBO’s Entourage.

Upon news of his death, the music community, especially those with Houston ties, began to flood social media with their shock and sympathy for the family.

"I wasn't ready for this," said Bun B. "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 it will be missed dearly. We love and honor you, Sensei. Rest in heaven."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed regret over not giving the Houston legend his flowers while he could still smell them. "The City of Houston and I extend our prayers and condolences to our own Screwed Up Click legendary rapper #BigPokey family and friends. Though many called him "low key", his presence was larger than life, helping to catapult our hip hop scene nationally. We are grateful."

Slim Thug said via Instagram, "Sad day in the city. Htown legend (triple crown emoji) SUC HOF... Hardest Pit… Prayers to his family (triple praying hands emoji)... Prayers to SUC (triple praying hands emoji)."

Paul Wall said, "It is with an extremely heavy heart that I make this post, saying rest in peace to @sucbigpokey What a great mentor and friend. A trendsetter and leader. I am so blessed to have known #BigPokey My love, prayers, and condolences go out to your family. Rest in peace, big bro. Sensei Forever #ripbigpokey."

Lil Flip, who was supposed to perform with Big Pokey in a show later this month, had these sentiments. " "It doesn't matter how much fame he had; he always had the same spirit. It's a huge loss because we considered him one of the freestyle kings. The world just needs to know, Big Pokey, he died doing what he loved; he died performing, and I find peace in that."

As a tribute to Big Pokey, Bun B has asked fans to make his last album, "Sensei," number one by streaming it on their favorite music platform.