HOUSTON — Beloved Houston rapper BeatKing died at age 39 on Thursday, his manager announced on social media. 

What You Need To Know

  • Justin Riley, known as BeatKing, was a rapper and producer known for his work in club music and was a “driving force in Houston’s underground scene,” a Billboard article said

  • His death was announced by his manager, Tasha Felder, in a tribute posted on Instagram

  • Details about his death have not been released. BeatKing is survived by his daughters, whom he mentioned frequently in his work and on social media

Justin Riley, known as BeatKing, was a rapper and producer known for his work in club music and was a “driving force in Houston’s underground scene,” a Billboard article said. 

His death was announced by his manager, Tasha Felder, in a tribute posted on Instagram. 

“BeatKing has been the best part of the club for over a decade,” Felder’s post said. “He has produced and worked with so many artists that his sound will forever live.”

BeatKing worked with prominent artists in the hip-hop genre, such as 2Chainz, Juicy J and Ludacris. 

His most popular song is “Then Leave,” which went viral on TikTok in 2020 and brought him international attention, including a nod from Drake. According to Billboard, the song hit No. 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and No. 48 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 

Details about his death have not been released. BeatKing is survived by his daughters, whom he mentioned frequently in his work and on social media.