The Houston rapper, known as Club Godzilla, was 39
Houston rapper BeatKing, known for the 2010 viral single “Crush” and DJ Chose’s platinum-selling record “Thick,” has died. He was 39 years old.
The death of the rapper, also known as Club Godzilla, was confirmed on Thursday by his manager Tasha Felder on her unverified Instagram page.
“BeatKing was the best thing about the club for over a decade,” she wrote. “He produced and worked with so many artists that his sound will live on forever. He loved his daughters @clubgodparenting, his music and his fans. We will love him forever.”
Felder confirmed BeatKing’s death Thursday from a pulmonary embolism in an email to USA TODAY on Friday.
“He was on a morning show on Urban One (Radio One) when he suddenly fainted,” Felder wrote. “He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. His daughters were with him the whole time. It’s really sad, we loved him so much.”
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BeatKing rose to prominence after the release of “Crush” in the summer of 2010 from his 2011 album “Kings of the Club”.
DJ Chose released the rap record “Thick” in July 2020. Months later, the single received a remix by Megan Thee Stallion, also from Houston.
The rapper was also known for the records “Then Leave” with Queendom Come in 2020 and Erica Banks’ 2022 single “Toot That” with DreamDoll.
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What is a pulmonary embolism?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the pulmonary artery.
The clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the leg or, rarely, in another part of the body. There may be multiple clots. Because the lungs are deprived of blood, parts of the organ may die, compromising oxygen supply.
Factors contributing to pulmonary embolism include conditions such as heart disease and COVID-19, long periods of inactivity, smoking and obesity.
Rapper BeatKing dies: Bun B, Three 6 Mafia mourn
In the comments to Felder’s post, Memphis rap duo Three 6 Mafia wrote: “RIP MANE!!! GREAT BROTHER!!”
Other Houstonians paid tribute on social media, including Slim Thug, who posted the news on Instagram and wrote that it was a “sad day in the city,” and Lil Flip, who simply posted several “rock on” hand emojis in the comments on one of BeatKing’s pinned posts.
Houston legend Bun B posted an Instagram photo of BeatKing praying for his loved ones on Thursday. “It’s always the good ones. … Just an amazing, spirited person,” he wrote. “We lost a talented artist and father.”
And in an Instagram story shared on Thursday, Atlanta rapper Lil Scrappy wrote: “Rest in peace my brother… @clubgodzilla I’m at a loss.”
