Beloved Houston rapper and producer The Beat King passed away on Thursday at age 39 in a Houston, Texas hospital.
A representative for his camp confirmed that the cause of his death was a pulmonary embolism. TMZSources said the Beat King was hosting his morning show on Urban One/Radio One when he fainted.
He was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital where medical professionals did all they could to save him. According to TMZ, the beat king, whose real name was Justin Riley, passed away later that day surrounded by his two daughters.
Rapper Beat King (Justin Riley) attends Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash 25 at Center Park Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on July 17, 2021. (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images)
“It’s truly sad. We loved him very much,” a rep for the rapper told TMZ.
The Beat King was a well-known entertainment figure on the Texas party scene, and his music is well-known and has been frequently played at colleges and clubs since the 1910s.
He is best known for his 2020 TikTok hit video “Then Leave,” which garnered him international attention and new fans.
Other hits include “SDAB” featuring 2 Chainz and Juicy J, “Outside” and “Keep It Poppin'” featuring Ludacris and Queendom Come.
The famous rapper was recently photographed with Drake, but it’s unclear if they’ve collaborated on music.
Rapper Beat King (Justin Riley, right) speaks to DTLR Radio backstage at Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash 25 at Center Park Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on July 17, 2021. (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images)
“He has produced and worked with so many artists that his sound will live on forever,” a rep for the Beat King told TMZ.
“He loved his daughters, his music and his fans. We [love] Him forever.” (Related: Famous actor and rapper Chino XL dies at age 50)
According to TMZ, Beat King’s representative praised his achievements, calling him “one of the best members of the club for over a decade.”
