It has been revealed that popular American rapper, Milton Powell, professionally known as Big Pokey, died while speaking with a DJ on stage when he exhaled heavily, tripped and fell. Pokey who died at the age of 45 collapsed was performing at a bar in Beaumont, Texas, on Saturday night. Late Big Pokey (Photo Source; Instagram) The incident was confirmed in a statement on the rapper’s verified Instagram page. “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell. “Big Pokey passed away. He was well-loved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans. In the coming days, we will release information about his celebration of life and how the public can pay their respects. We ask that you respect his family and their privacy during this difficult time. Big Pokey will forever be ‘The Hardest Pit in the Litter.” In March 2023, a similar incident also occurred in South Africa when rapper Costa Titch collapsed onstage during a performance at a music festival and died The rapper, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was 28. Late Costa Titch (Photo Source; Instagram) Tsobanoglou performed at Ultra South Africa in Johannesburg. Video of his set circulated on social media, showing him appearing to fall onstage. He was picked up by a person next to him, but after several seconds, he appeared to fall again and collapsed off the stage. His family shared a tribute on his Instagram page, writing: “Death has tragically knocked at our door. Robbing us of our beloved son, brother and grandson, Constantinos Tsobanoglou, who South Africa had come to love and idolize under his stage name ‘Costa Titch.’” “We’re thankful for the emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth. As a family we are faced with a difficult time as we try to make sense of what has befallen us and ask that we be afforded the time and space to gather ourselves,” the statement said. “The Tsobanoglou family thanks you for the love and support you have given to our son and may you continue to uplift him even in spirit,” the tribute continued. “Please keep us in your prayers and uplifted in the Lord.”