The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Houston rapper and producer BeatKing, who passed away at the age of 39. His manager, Tasha Felder, confirmed the news in an emotional Instagram post on August 15, 2024, stating, “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, his music, and his fans. We will love him forever.”
Tributes have been pouring in from artists and fans alike. 2 Chainz, who collaborated with BeatKing on the track “Pop Music,” expressed his condolences on Instagram, saying, “My condolences @clubgodzilla …… God Bless your soul and family.” Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his grief, writing, “Rip BEATKING damn this one hurt.”
Bun B, another Texas native, also paid tribute, stating, “It’s always the good ones. Damn this shit hurt. Just a great spirited person. We lost a talented artist and father. Prayer for his loved ones. RIP @clubgodzilla.”
Local radio station 97.9 The Box released a statement expressing their sorrow: “Our hearts are heavy with the news that BeatKing, family to us here at 97.9 The Box and Radio ONE Houston, has passed away. We are sending our love to his loved ones, friends, peers, and the whole city of Houston. We love you, BeatKing.”
BeatKing, whose real name was Justin Riley, was a staple of the Houston club scene. His 2020 hit “Then Leave” went viral on TikTok, being featured in over 150,000 videos. He was known for his energetic tracks that were popular in strip clubs and college campuses alike. Over his career, he worked with artists such as Moneybagg Yo, Erica Banks, Armani Caesar, and Ludacris.
His most recent album, Never Leave Houston on a Sunday, was released just last month through his own record label. The hip-hop community continues to honor his legacy and contributions to the music industry.
