Houston Rapper & Producer BeatKing Passes Away at 39.

August 16, 2024

Houston rapper BeatKing, known for the viral 2010 single “Crush” and the platinum-selling DJ Chose record “Thick,” has died. He was 39.

Also known as Club Godzilla, the rapper’s death was confirmed by his manager, Tasha Felder, on her unverified Instagram page Thursday.

“BeatKing has been the best part of the club for over a decade,” she wrote. “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.”

Riley’s death is believed to have been caused by a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs.

“He was at an Urban One (Radio One) station doing a morning takeover when he suddenly fainted,” Felder wrote. “He was taken to a near by (sic) hospital where he later passed away. His daughters were with him the entire time. It is truly sad, we loved him so much.”