Jump to content

Big Pokey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Binksternet (talk | contribs) at 08:17, 20 June 2023 (Restored revision 1161010250 by Ser Amantio di Nicolao (talk): Restore consensus). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Big Pokey
Birth nameMilton Powell
Born(1974-11-29)November 29, 1974
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 18, 2023(2023-06-18) (aged 48)
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
Years active1995–2023
Labels

Milton Powell (November 29, 1974[a] – June 18, 2023), better known by his stage name Big Pokey, was an American rapper from Houston, Texas. Big Pokey was associated with chopped and screwed music, and was one of the original members of the Screwed Up Click.[5][6]

Career

Big Pokey began rapping with Houston producer DJ Screw in the early 1990s releasing songs on many of DJ Screw's mixtapes. Big Pokey was featured on DJ Screw's mixtape "June 27th Freestyle" which became a landmark album in chopped and screwed hip hop.[7][8]

His first full-length album, Hardest Pit in the Litter, appeared in early 1999.[9] The following year, Pokey returned with D-Game 2000, another album of mid-tempo 808-driven beats featuring several of his Houston peers as guests. In 2001, he collaborated with the Wreckshop Wolfpack for Tha Collabo and then returned in 2002 with another solo album, Da Sky's Da Limit. In 2004, a clip of Pokey's song "Who Dat Talkin Down" was featured in the pilot episode of HBO's Entourage.[10] In 2005, Pokey was featured on Paul Wall's track "Sittin' Sidewayz" which peaked at #93 on US Billboard Hot 100.[11]

Death

On June 17, 2023, Powell collapsed while performing at a bar in Beaumont, Texas.[4] He was hospitalized and died overnight on June 18.[4]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and information
Year Title Peak chart positions
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[12] Independent Albums[13] Heatseekers Albums[14]
1999 Hardest Pit in the Litter
  • Label: Chevis Entertainment
72 47
2000 D-Game 2000
  • Label: Chevis Entertainment
71 31 38
2001 Tha Collabo (with The Wreckshop Wolfpack)
  • Label: Wreckshop Records
74 21 31
2002 Da Sky's Da Limit
  • Label: Wreckshop Records
47 46 46
2008 Evacuation Notice 75
2021 Sensei
  • Label: Mob Style Music Group, Win Or Regret, SoSouth

Mixtapes

  • 2003: Mob 4 Life (with Chris Ward)
  • 2004: A Bad Azz Mix Tape Vol. 3
  • 2004: The Best Of Big Pokey II (8ighted & Chopped)
  • 2005: Since The Grey Tapes Vol. 3 (with Lil' Keke)
  • 2007: On Another Note
  • 2008: Keep On Stackin, Vol. 3: Smoked Out... Beatin!!! (with Lil C)
  • 2008: Screwed Up Gorillaz (with E.S.G.)
  • 2010: Warning Shot

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Multiple sources gave Powell's age at death as 48.[1][2] This would match a November 2019 Instagram post, in which he announced he had turned 45, which would have placed his birth in 1974 and made him 48 at death.[3] At least one other source gave his age at death as 45.[4]

References

  1. ^ Fonstein, Clare (June 18, 2023). "Houston rapper Big Pokey dies at 48 after collapsing during performance in Beaumont". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Helmore, Edward (June 18, 2023). "Houston rapper Big Pokey dies at age 48". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Big Pokey (November 29, 2019). "I thank God for this day! It's my day!! Not 2 bad for 45!". Instagram. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Evans, Gareth (June 19, 2023). "Houston rapper Big Pokey dies after collapsing during performance". BBC News. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Big Pokey | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  6. ^ Lac, J. Freedom du; Shin, Annys (September 15, 2012). "A $23 million mansion heads to foreclosure as an entrepreneur's fortune vanishes". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  7. ^ Young, Matt (June 27, 2016). "Why June 27 should be a Houston holiday for hip hop fans". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  8. ^ Smith, Nathan (June 27, 2014). "Meet Big DeMo, the Screwed Up Click's Mysterious "Mr. June 27"". Houston Press. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Serrano, Shea (April 8, 2010). "Y'all Musta Forgot: Big Pokey's Hardest Pit In The Litter". Houston Press. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  10. ^ "Music from Entourage S1E01". Tunefind. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  11. ^ "Paul Wall Chart History". Billboard Hot 100. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "Big Pokey Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  13. ^ "Big Pokey Chart History". Independent Albums. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  14. ^ "Big Pokey Chart History". Heatseekers Albums. Retrieved March 21, 2018.