HOUSTON – On Sunday, family, friends and fans celebrated the life and legacy of Houston rap legend Big Pokey.
“He is most known for the ‘Screwed Up Click,’ which was led and spear headed by the legendary DJ Screw,” Publicist La’Torria Lemon said.
Big Pokey, whose real name was Milton Powell, died last Sunday after suffering a medical emergency while he was on stage in Beaumont.
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The 48-year-old Houston icon was remembered in a big way.
“Big Pokey went too soon but he made something different,” Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said.
Hundreds of fans packed Houston City Hall on Sunday to celebrate life his life.
His first full-length album, “Hardest Pit in The Litter,” was released in 1999. He was well-known for his freestyle and was on the epic June 27th freestyle.
Rapper Lil’ KeKe says Big Pokey was a “gentle giant.”
“He’s an athlete. He’s an entertainer but he’s a gentle giant. He was a girl-dad so you can only imagine what kind of guy he is so. He’s one of my best friends, a good funny guy with a good sense of humor. To see everybody come out and celebrate his life means everything to me,” KeKe expressed.
From t-shirts, paintings and his own peach soda, Big Pokey’s legacy was shown through the love from fans and the community.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Big Pokey was always about bringing people together.
“He always showed me love every time I seen him. I have much respect for him and I’m so glad that the city is pausing this evening to acknowledge that because we lost a great brother. The industry has lost a great person,” Chief Finner said.
Fans say, while his death was tragic and unexpected, they are making sure his legacy lives on.
“I feel comfortable that he died doing what he loves. He was performing. He’s been performing,” Nicolette Ferguson said.
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