BeatKing, the Houston rapper also known as Club Godzilla, dies at 39

BeatKing, the Houston rapper also known as Club Godzilla, has died. He was 39.

The artist died Thursday in a Houston hospital, his manager Tasha Felder confirmed to The Times on Friday.

Felder announced BeatKing’s death in an Instagram post on Thursday, writing, “Today, August 15, 2024, we lost @Clubgodzilla. BeatKing has been the best member of the club for over a decade. He produced and collaborated with so many artists that his sound will live on forever. He loved his daughters @clubgodparenting, his music, and his fans. We will love him forever.”

The musician, whose real name was Justin Seth Riley, died of a pulmonary embolism, a condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, preventing blood from flowing. Felder told The Times that the rapper was taken to a nearby hospital after fainting during a performance on Urban One (Radio One) and later died.

“His daughters were with him the whole time. It’s really sad, we loved him so much,” Felder said.

After news of his passing broke, artists took to social media to pay tribute to BeatKing.

“It’s always the good ones… Just an amazing spiritual person. We lost a talented artist and father. Prayers for @talameshia and his loved ones. RIP @clubgodzilla,” rapper Bun B said in an Instagram post on Thursday.

Fellow Houston rapper Lil Scrappy posted a screenshot of their 2022 single “Thangin” to his Instagram story, writing, “Rip to my Brudda that worked for @clubgodzilla I’m kinda lost here.”

Memphis rap duo Three 6 Mafia commented on Felder’s Instagram post on Thursday, “RIP MANE!!! AMAZING BROTHER!!”

BeatKing was born on November 24, 1984 in Houston. His music was popular among clubbers because of its unique sound, southern rap influence and explicit lyrics.

He rose to fame in 2010 with the release of “Crush”, which was featured on his 2011 album “Kings of the Club 2”.

In 2020, he released the viral hit “Then Leave,” featuring fellow Houston rapper Queendome Come. The single is his most-streamed song on Spotify, with over 60 million streams. In 2022, he was featured on DJ Chose’s “THICK,” which became a viral hit that inspired a popular TikTok dance and a remix featuring fellow Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

In July, the musician released his latest album, “Never Leave Houston on a Sunday.”

Riley is survived by his daughters Jayla and Kayla and his girlfriend, singer Talameshia.

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