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

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

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless artists, I must say the news of BeatKing’s passing leaves me with a bittersweet sentiment. While it is always heartbreaking to see talent extinguished at such an early age, his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his music and the indelible mark he left on Southern rap.


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

On a tragic note, it was confirmed by the artist’s manager, Tasha Felder, that the musician passed away last Thursday in a Houston hospital, as reported by The Times on Friday.

Firstly, on Thursday, Felder shared news about BeatKing’s passing through an Instagram post. In the post, he expressed, “On August 15, 2024, we bid farewell to @Clubgodzilla (BeatKing). For more than a decade, he was an integral part of our club scene. His music and collaborations with numerous artists will continue to resonate. He cherished his daughters @clubgodparenting, his art, and his fans deeply. We’ll carry the memory of him in our hearts forever.”

The artist, originally known as Justin Seth Riley, passed away due to pulmonary embolism – a situation where a blood clot obstructs a lung’s artery, hindering blood circulation. According to Felder, the hip-hop artist was rushed to a hospital nearby after collapsing during an on-air performance at Urban One (Radio One), and eventually succumbed to his condition.

“His daughters were with him the entire time. It is truly sad, we loved him so much,” Felder said.

After word of his death, artists paid tribute to BeatKing on social media.

“It’s always the good ones who leave us too soon… He was a wonderful person with a great spirit. We have lost a gifted artist and father. Our thoughts go out to @talameshia and his family. Rest in peace, @clubgodzilla.”

Lil Scrappy, another Houston-based rapper, recently shared a screenshot from their 2022 song “Thangin” on his Instagram story with the caption, “Rest in peace to my friend who always hustled @clubgodzilla – I’m struggling with this one.”

On Thursday, the Memphis hip-hop duo Three 6 Mafia expressed their condolences on Instagram, saying, “Rest In Peace, dear brother! What a great man!”

Born on the 24th of November, 1984, in the vibrant city of Houston, BeatKing emerged as a musician, known for his distinctive sound that blended elements of southern rap with explicit verses. His music found favor among club enthusiasts.

2010 saw him ascend to fame, following the launch of “Crush,” a track that graced his 2011 album titled “Kings of the Club 2.”

In the year 2020, he put out the hugely popular track “Then Leave,” in collaboration with another Houston-based rapper, Queendome Come. This single has been his most played song on Spotify, garnering over 60 million streams. In 2022, he teamed up with DJ Chose for the viral smash hit “THICK.” This song sparked a popular TikTok dance and even led to a remix featuring fellow Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

In July, the musician released his final 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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2024-08-17 01:01

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