The rap world has lost one of its own.
Well-known Houston rapper BeatKing, also known as Justin Riley, has died at age 39.
A rep for BeatKing, Tasha Felder, revealed the artist passed away in a Houston hospital on Thursday after suffering a pulmonary embolism, per TMZ.
According to the outlet, the rapper was on the air doing a morning takeover at the Urban One/Radio One station when he fainted and was rushed to the hospital.
Felder added that BeatKing passed away that same day with his two daughters by his side.
The rep noted, “It is truly sad, we loved him so much.”
Felder also took to social media to share a touching tribute to her client.
“Today, August 15, 2024, we have lost @Clubgodzilla,” she wrote on Instagram Thursday. “BeatKing has been the best part of the club for over a decade. He has produced and worked with so many artists, that his sound will forever live. He loved his daughters @clubgodparenting, his music and his fans. We will love him forever.”
Felder also included solo shots of BeatKing and pictures with his daughters.
She captioned the post, “Forever.”
UnderGround Kingz member Bun B also paid tribute to BeatKing on Instagram.
“It’s always the good ones. Damn this sh– hurt. Just a great spirited person. We lost a talented artist and father,” he wrote. “Prayer for @talameshia and his loved ones. RIP @clubgodzilla.”
BeatKing most recently performed during Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 World Tour stop at the Houston Toyota Center in May.
At the time, BeatKing posted himself on stage during the sold-out tour, writing, “Thank you @nickiminaj.”
A month later, the fallen star was spotted with Drake, but it is unclear if the musicians had plans to collaborate.
BeatKing went viral in 2020 with his TikTok hit “Then Leave” and gained international recognition for the tune.
The father of two first stepped on the music scene with his 2010 album, “Kings of the Club,” and continued to create hit songs such as “SDAB” featuring 2 Chainz and Juicy J, “Outside,” “Keep It Poppin” featuring Ludacris and “Queendom Come.”
Following BeatKing’s death, 2 Chainz reposted a clip of himself during a 2022 interview, where he gave a shout-out to working with the rapper.
He simply wrote above the video, “RIP BeatKing.”
Juicy J also shared a snippet of himself and the hitmaker on stage, writing, “Rip @clubgodzilla. I’m gone miss you mane.”
