His stage name was Big Pokey (Milton Jerome Powell Jr.), an American rapper and also a music advocate who helped popularize Houston’s chopped-and-screwed hip-hop subgenre. He was part of the original cast of DJ Screw’s Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.) crew. Low, slow delivery, freestyle chops, and sounds born in Houston earned him a spot at the table of Southern hip-hop.
Big Pokey was best known for his verses on DJ Screw mixtapes, notably the classic “June 27th Freestyle.” He subsequently pursued a solo career with albums including Hardest Pit in the Litter, D-Game 2000, Da Sky’s Da Limit, and Sensei.
Big Pokey Biography Table
| Category | Details |
| Real Name | Milton Jerome Powell Jr. |
| Stage Name | Big Pokey |
| Born | November 29, 1974 |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Died | June 18, 2023 |
| Age at Death | 48 years |
| Profession | Rapper, songwriter |
| Genre | Southern Hip-Hop |
| Known For | Screwed Up Click, chopped-and-screwed music |
| Years Active | 1990s–2023 |
| Notable Album | Hardest Pit in the Litter |
| Associated Artist | DJ Screw |
| Famous Collaboration | Paul Wall – “Sittin’ Sidewayz” |
Big Pokey Age
Big Pokey’s death on June 18, 2023, claimed the life of a 48-year-old. He was born on November 29, 1974, in Houston, Texas. AllMusic and other authoritative discographies list 1974 as the year of birth, while some online biographies have stated a different year.
His career stretched across nearly three decades during which he became synonymous with the sound of Houston hip-hop.
Early Life and Education
As per The US Bio, he was a Houston-born rapper, Milton Jerome Powell Jr., aka Big Pokey. The city later became an integral part of his identity, career, and musical history.
Prior to his career in the music industry, Big Pokey had a passion for football. He played football and studied kinesiology at Abilene Christian College, according to AllMusic. But then he decided to stop academics and take music more seriously as a career.
Being plugged into Houston’s local music scene eventually led him to DJ Screw, who pioneered the distinctive chopped-and-screwed sound by slowing down and rewinding records. That meeting was instrumental in Big Pokey’s career and his connection to the Screwed Up Click.
Big Pokey and Screwed Up Click
Originally one of the members who formed around DJ Screw and made up the Houston-based collective, Screwed Up Click, Big Pokey became a member by association. The group was instrumental in creating and promoting the chopped-and-screwed sound associated with Houston.
In the 1990s, Pokey began to appear on the mixtapes of DJ Screw. His deep voice and relaxed rhythm are a perfect match with Screw’s slowed-down production style. One of the great moments from this stage in his young career came from his appearance on the now-infamous “June 27th Freestyle”
The freestyle went on to become a vital part of Houston hip-hop lore and catapulted Pokey to the top of the city’s underground rap scene.
Big Pokey Music Career
Big Pokey began his solo recording career in the late ’90s. In 1999, he released his first studio album, Hardest Pit in the Litter. The album launched him into a name in Southern underground rap circles and also made Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and Heatseekers list.
In 2000, he released D-Game 2000. The project included several artists from Houston and continued his mid-tempo, bass-heavy sound.
He co-released Tha Collabo with Wreckshop Wolfpack in 2001. He then put out Da Sky’s Da Limit in 2002.
Big Pokey Major Albums
| Year | Album |
| 1999 | Hardest Pit in the Litter |
| 2000 | D-Game 2000 |
| 2001 | Tha Collabo |
| 2002 | Da Sky’s Da Limit |
| 2007 | Evacuation Notice |
| 2021 | Sensei |
His later career included additional albums, mixtapes, and collaborations that continued to connect his music with Houston’s underground rap culture.
Big Pokey and Paul Wall
Big Pokey’s mainstream tie will most notably be his association with Paul Wall on “Sittin‘ Sidewayz.”
The track, released in 2005 along with Big Pokey, served as a single that became commercially successful and peaked at No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The partnership was especially important as it bridged the gap between Houston’s older underground scene and a new generation of Southern rap.
Big Pokey’s Acting and Entertainment Work
Big Pokey is also credited for screen and soundtrack. His music featured in entertainment projects, including the 2006 feature Grandma’s Boy. His work with One Hit Wonderland and other projects is chronicled on IMDb as well.
In 2004, his song “Who Dat Talkin Down” was included in the pilot episode of HBO’s Entourage.
Big Pokey Personal Life
Outside of music, Big Pokey mostly kept his personal life private. He centered most of his public self on music and Houston, not like most mainstream celebrities.
Although he had three children according to some biographical sources, little information about his family was published.
Following his passing, his family then requested the public to respect their privacy.
Big Pokey Net Worth
Big Pokey was an American rapper, primarily noted for being a member of the Screwed Up Click and Houston’s chopped-and-screwed music scene. His earnings sources are music sales, streaming royalties, live concerts, collaborations and album releases. Nevertheless, no figure was ever publicly confirmed so estimates should be taken with a pinch of salt. Among his best-known albums were Hardest Pit in the Litter, D-Game 2000 and Da Sky’s da Limit.
| Net Worth Detail | Estimated Amount |
| Big Pokey Net Worth | $1 Million |
| Primary Income | Music & Royalties |
| Profession | Rapper |
| Active Years | 1995-2023 |
Big Pokey died in June 2023 at age 48.
Also Read: Taylor Wily Net Worth | Joe Keery Net Worth
Big Pokey Death
Big Pokey passed away on 18 June 2023 at the age of 48 years old.
The Grammy Award winner was on stage early Sunday (June 18) at a venue in Beaumont, Texas, when he collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed shortly afterwards. His death sent shockwaves in Houston’s hip-hop community and throughout Southern rap.
An autopsy subsequently found that he died of hypertensive heart disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with reports calling the immediate cause a heart attack.
Big Pokey Legacy
Big Pokey’s legacy goes well beyond what he released as a solo artist. He was among the stars of a generation that shaped the sound of Houston rap and, on occasion, went on to be heard as an influence in Southern hip-hop nationally.
Working with DJ Screw and the Screwed Up Click, he helped solidify a genre of chopped-and-screwed music. From his deep voice to freestyling to that Houston storytelling, those all became hallmarks of his style.
The Houston Chronicle called his freestyling legendary, and noted his contributions to DJ Screw’s “June 27th” and Paul Wall’s “Sittin’ Sidewayz.”
His death inspired tributes from Houston artists and others across the hip-hop community, reflecting how influential he had been to that city’s music scene.
Big Pokey Interesting Facts
- His birth name was Milton Jerome Powell Jr.
- He was born in Houston, Texas.
- He was the original member of Screwed Up Click.
- He frequently worked with DJ Screw.
- One of his most famous freestyles came through on “June 27th.”
- His first album was called Hardest Pit in the Litter.
- He collaborated with Paul Wall.
- “Sittin’ Sidewayz” is one of the top 7 singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100 number.
- His music appeared in Entourage and Grandma’s Boy.
- He was 48 when he died in 2023.
Big Pokey FAQs
1. Who was Big Pokey?
Big Pokey was an American rapper from Houston, Texas, and an original member of the Screwed Up Click. He was closely associated with DJ Screw and Houston’s chopped-and-screwed hip-hop movement.
2. What was Big Pokey’s real name?
Big Pokey’s real name was Milton Jerome Powell Jr.
3. How old was Big Pokey when he died?
Big Pokey was 48 years old when he died in June 2023.
4. When did Big Pokey die?
Big Pokey died on June 18, 2023, after collapsing during a performance in Beaumont, Texas.
5. What was Big Pokey known for?
He was best known for his work with the Screwed Up Click, DJ Screw’s mixtapes, chopped-and-screwed hip-hop, and collaborations with artists including Paul Wall.
6. What was Big Pokey’s most famous song?
He is strongly associated with his appearance on “June 27th Freestyle” and his contribution to Paul Wall’s “Sittin’ Sidewayz.”
Conclusion
Dallas rap legend Big Pokey, who in recent memory was a critical link between Houston hip-hop and the slow-creeping sound of chopped-and-screwed that helped define his career. Partnering with DJ Screw and the Screwed Up Click, his early work helped take Houston’s unique rap style to larger audiences in the cities, building upon new bodies of work beginning in 2014. His life was cut short in 2023, but his music and impact are an important part of the city’s hip-hop timeline.
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