Houston, Texas rapper BeatKing dies at 39 from pulmonary embolism

Popular Houston rapper BeatKing, whose real name is Justin Riley, died Thursday at the age of 39.

His longtime manager, Tasha Fielder, announced his death via Instagram.

Who is BeatKing?

If you’ve ever been to a Hip-Hop club in Houston or Dallas or even just listened to your local radio, BeatKing was probably blaring through your speakers.

Beatking has been a mainstay on the Houston club scene since the early 2010s when he released the projects “King of the Club,” “Club God 3,” “Gangsta Stripper Music,” Travis Scott’s “Astroworld,” “Twerk It for Vine.” 

BeatKing had a radio smash and club classic with the release of “Crush” in the summer of 2010 from his album “Kings of the Club” in 2011. The rapper was also known for the records “Then Leave” with Queendom Come in 2020 and Erica Banks’ 2022 single “Toot That” with DreamDoll.

Renowned for his bold lyrics and “crushing” the club, heavy basslines, and a knack for keeping the club energy high, he has collaborated with artists like Ludacris, Juicy J, DJ Chose, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Project Pat, and more. Beatking dropped his latest album, “She Won’t Leave Houston,” last July.

What happened to BeatKing?

In an email to USA TODAY, Fielder said the artist had passed out during his radio show.

“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.”

Felder confirmed BeatKing’s death on Thursday from a pulmonary embolism.

What is pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious medical condition that occurs when a blood clot, usually from the deep veins in the legs (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), travels through the bloodstream and lodges in one of the arteries in the lungs. This blockage can obstruct blood flow to part of the lung, causing tissue damage and impairing the lungs’ ability to provide oxygen to the rest of the body.

The following could be symptoms of PE:

• Shortness of Breath: Sudden and unexplained difficulty breathing is a common symptom.
• Chest Pain: Often sharp and may worsen with deep breaths, coughing, or physical activity.
• Coughing: Sometimes with blood (hemoptysis).
• Rapid Heart Rate: A fast heartbeat or palpitations.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Can occur if the blood flow to the brain is affected.

2 Chainz, Bun B and more remember BeatKing

BeatKing’s fans and artists he’s working with shared their favorite moments with BeatKing on social media.