Houston Hosts Second-Annual BeatKing Day With City Proclamation

For the second year in a row, Houston observed BeatKing Day over the weekend, to honor the life and music of late rapper-producer Justin “BeatKing” Riley.

On Saturday (August 29), event organizers across Houston marked the occasion with observances and celebrations dedicated to the “Scared” artist.

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The proclamation itself dates to August 29, 2024, when it was presented at BeatKing’s Celebration of Life at the Bayou City Event Center. UGK rapper Bun B delivered the city’s declaration on stage, where BeatKing’s daughters Jayla and Kayla, affectionately known as “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” accepted the document in their father’s honor.

That ceremony drew a wide circle of influential Houston music figures, including Swishahouse’s DJ Michael Watts, DJ J-Que, radio host Kiotti Brown, DJ Csharp, and artist Mon’ro. Black balloons were released, and BeatKing’s urn, his plaque for “Then Leave,” and a pair of his sneakers were displayed at the service.

BeatKing died on August 15, 2024, from a pulmonary embolism at age 39. He had released his final album, Never Leave Houston on a Sunday, just weeks before his passing. His catalog spans 20 projects, including a six-volume “Club God” series, and features RIAA-certified hits including the Platinum “Thick” with DJ Chose and the Gold “Then Leave” with Queendome Come, which went viral on TikTok.

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