In Loving Memory: Justin Seth Riley, known professionally as BeatKing and Club Godzilla, passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 39 after suffering a pulmonary embolism. The Houston rap community lost one of its most innovative and entertaining figures. This tribute celebrates his visual artistry and the infectious club anthems that defined his legacy.
BeatKing was more than a talented rapper, he was Houston's club architect, the producer who turned viral moments into chart-topping hits, and the mastermind behind some of the most memorable and provocative music videos in Southern hip-hop. From his breakout 2010 hit "Crush" to his 2020 viral sensation "Then Leave" that generated over 151,000 TikTok videos, BeatKing understood something fundamental: great music videos don't just accompany songs, they amplify them into cultural moments.
What made BeatKing's videos special? They captured the raw energy of Houston's club scene, the twerking, the partying, the unapologetic celebration of life. His camera work didn't pretend to be high art, and that authenticity became his signature. Whether he was directing provocative visuals that sparked viral challenges or collaborating with rising female rappers who brought their own fire, BeatKing created content that made you want to move.
🎵 Key Takeaways: BeatKing's Visual Legacy
- The Club God: BeatKing (Justin Seth Riley) was the architect of Houston's modern club sound, known for turning viral internet moments into chart-topping hits like "Then Leave."
- Female Empowerment: His videography championed female sexuality and rappers, frequently collaborating with artists like Sukihana, Erica Banks, and Queendom Come.
- Posthumous Releases: Even after his passing in 2024, his legacy grew with 2025 releases featuring Natalie Nunn and Whip The Rapper, showcasing his tireless work ethic.
- Viral Impact: He mastered the "viral challenge," most notably with the controversial #CucumberChallenge sparked by his "Scream" video.
I've picked his top 10 music videos based on cultural impact, creativity, replay value, and how well they represent what made him a legend in Texas hip-hop. These aren't just videos, they're snapshots of a career that changed how Houston rap looked and sounded.
1. T by Whip The Rapper feat BeatKing (2025)
Released: January 3, 2025 | Runtime: 2 minutes 44 seconds | Director: Two3Films | Location: Texas
This posthumous release showcases BeatKing doing what he did best, bringing energy to someone else's track. Whip The Rapper holds her own as the primary artist, but BeatKing's signature ad-libs and delivery add that unmistakable Houston flavor. The video, shot across various Texas locations, feels like a celebration of Southern hip-hop culture.
Two3Films captures the essence of rap videos, gritty authenticity mixed with technical polish. What makes this special is knowing it's one of BeatKing's final recorded appearances, making every frame feel more significant.
2. Scared (Remix) by BeatKing x Natalie Nunn (2025)
Released: April 25, 2025 | Runtime: 1 minute 28 seconds | Director: HDBFilmz
Reality TV star Natalie Nunn (known from "Bad Girls Club") jumping on a BeatKing remix? That's the kind of crossover appeal that defined his later career. This compact visual packs personality into under 90 seconds, with Natalie bringing her signature confidence and BeatKing providing the infectious backing track.
The video hits you with energy and attitude Natalie Nunn breathing fire, throwing her lines in can while wearing seductive lingerie outfit, rappign in night club while ladies twerk, then leaves you wanting more. Sometimes the best content knows when to be brief. The chemistry between reality TV stardom and rap authenticity creates an interesting dynamic that showcases BeatKing's versatility in collaboration.
3. Scared (Remix) by Beatking x Erica Banks x Whip The Rapper (2025)
Released: April 25, 2025 | Runtime: 2 minutes 28 seconds | Director: DJFilms Productions | Location: Miami, Florida
This is the definitive version of "Scared" that BeatKing crafted. Bringing together two of the hottest female rappers in the South—Dallas's Erica Banks and Houston's Whip The Rapper, creates a powerhouse collaboration that elevates the original concept. DFilms Productions took the video to Miami, adding that coastal swagger to Houston's signature sound.
What I appreciate most is how each artist gets their moment to shine. Erica Banks brings her "Buss It" energy, Whip The Rapper showcases why she's one to watch, and BeatKing orchestrates it all like the club maestro he was. The Miami strip club setting provides beautiful and hot visuals of nightlife energy.
4. 2 Raw by BeatKing (2024)
Released: March 4, 2024 | Runtime: 2 minutes 2 seconds | Director: DJFilms Productions
Released months before his untimely passing, "2 Raw" represents BeatKing in his prime creative zone. The title says it all, this is unfiltered, unapologetic club music captured on film. DJFilms Productions, one of BeatKing's frequent collaborators, understood the assignment: keep the camera moving, keep the energy high, and capture the essence of what happens when a BeatKing beat drops in the Club O gentlemen's club.
The video features the essential elements of BeatKing's visual vocabulary: women dancing with precision and confidence, strobe lights cutting through smoke, and that nightclub intimacy that makes viewers feel like they're in the crowd. At just over two minutes, it's perfectly paced, long enough to establish the vibe, short enough to stay in rotation.
5. On Yo Head by BeatKing featuring Sukihana, Diamond & Princess (2023)
Released: October 2023| Runtime: 2 minutes 13 seconds | Director: DJFilms Productions
This is the second visual for "On Yo Head," featuring an upgraded cast that includes Atlanta's rising superstar Sukihana and Diamond The Body alongside Princess. When BeatKing decided a song needed a remix video, he went all out.
Sukihana brings that raunchy, unbothered energy she's famous for. Diamond delivers verses with the confidence of someone who's been in the game and knows her worth. The video embraces exactly what made BeatKing controversial and beloved, it's sexual, it's fun, and it doesn't apologize for either. Diamond's verse showcases her commanding delivery:
Yes I f*ck like a p*rno star
I better make a nigga come and lick my clit
He never made the chick cum so quick
When I slide on a dick - Diamond ATL
That's the kind of unapologetic female sexuality BeatKing championed in his collaborations. He gave women in rap a platform to be as explicit and confident as their male counterparts, and the result was electric.
6. Eat Em Up by BeatKing feat. Sukihana (2023)
Released: August 30, 2023| Runtime: 2 minutes 23 seconds | Director/Editor: 6KJEFE
BeatKing and Sukihana had undeniable chemistry, and "Eat Em Up" proves why they kept collaborating. 6KJEFE handled both shooting and editing duties, creating a cohesive party and night club visuals that matches the song's aggressive energy. The editing style is modern and fast-paced, with quick cuts and color grading that gives everything a slightly surreal, heightened quality.
Sukihana's personality dominates the screen, she's not trying to be anyone but herself, and that authenticity combined with BeatKing's production creates something genuinely entertaining. The video doesn't rely on big budgets or elaborate concepts. Instead, it succeeds through personality, timing, and understanding exactly what fans want to see.
7. On Yo Head by BeatKing (2023)
Released: October 2023 | Runtime: 2 minutes 39 seconds | Director: DJ Films Productions
This is the original "On Yo Head" video that preceded the star-studded remix version. Set in a house party environment, it captures everything BeatKing became known for, lots of twerking, good vibes, and that carefree party atmosphere that defined Houston club culture in the 2010s and 2020s.
What makes this video work is its authenticity. It doesn't feel like a staged music video production, it feels like someone brought a good camera to an actual house party where BeatKing showed up. The women dancing aren't professional video dancers going through choreographed routines; they're moving how people actually move when a club banger comes on. That realness became BeatKing's calling card.
8. Uncle Club God by BeatKing (2020)
Released: 2020
"Uncle Club God" was one of BeatKing's many monikers—alongside Club Godzilla—that reflected his status as Houston nightlife royalty. This video from 2020 shows BeatKing at the height of his powers, right around the time "Then Leave" was taking over TikTok and introducing him to international audiences.
The production quality here is noticeably higher than some of his earlier work, showing how his success translated into better resources. But even with upgraded equipment and locations, the video maintains that essential BeatKing energy. He never forgot where he came from or what made his content connect with people.
9. Keep It Poppin by BeatKing, Ludacris, Queendom Come (2021)
Released: April 16th, 2021 | Runtime: 2 minutes 38 seconds
Landing Ludacris—a hip-hop legend and multi-platinum artist—on a BeatKing track was a major co-sign that showed how far the Houston producer had come. Queendom Come, one of BeatKing's frequent collaborators who appeared on several of his biggest hits, rounds out this power trio.
The "Keep It Poppin" video has that big-budget feel you'd expect when a mainstream legend like Ludacris is involved. Multiple locations, professional lighting, choreographed sequences—this is BeatKing operating at a different level while maintaining his signature sound. It proved he could play in the major leagues without losing his identity.
10. Scream by BeatKing (2017)
Released: 2017 | Director: HalfpintFilmz | Viral Moment: Summer 2019
If there's one BeatKing video that defines his ability to create viral moments, it's "Scream." This provocative visual, where women are seen sucking on cucumbers and eggplants, sparked the #CucumberChallenge that exploded in summer 2019—two years after the video's original release. That delayed virality proved BeatKing's content had staying power.
The #CucumberChallenge became massive, with everyone from everyday TikTok users to celebrities participating. It got YFN Lucci in trouble with Reginae Carter, and encouraged some adventurous participants to outdo each other, including notable personalities like Jasamine Banks.
Obviously, the video was controversial—simulating oral sex through food isn't subtle. But that fearlessness defined BeatKing's approach. He made music and visuals that pushed buttons, started conversations, and most importantly, got people engaged. HalfpintFilmz deserves credit for bringing BeatKing's vision to life in a way that looked professional despite the outrageous concept.
Bonus. "Keisha Remix" by BeatKing Feat. Kirko Bangz & Rico Love (2015)
Released: 2015
Taking it back to 2015, this "Keisha Remix" features Dallas rapper Kirko Bangz (known for his hit "Drank In My Cup") and R&B artist Rico Love, a songwriter who penned hits for everyone from Beyoncé to Nelly. This collaboration showed BeatKing's ability to bridge different styles, his club production, Kirko's melodic rap approach, and Rico Love's smooth R&B sensibilities.
The video has that mid-2010s aesthetic, before the ultra-polished Instagram era fully took over but after the grainy early YouTube days. It represents BeatKing establishing himself as someone major artists wanted to work with. The remix formula, taking a solid original track and elevating it with bigger names, was something BeatKing executed well throughout his career.
BeatKing's Legacy: More Than Music Videos
When I think about what made BeatKing special, it wasn't just his beats or his ability to spot talent. It was his understanding that music in the digital age requires visual storytelling. He began his career in 2008 and burst onto the scene in 2010 with "Kings of the Club," working with legends like Bun B, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, and Lil' Keke throughout his career.
BeatKing mastered viral content before everyone else figured it out. He created a simple but effective methodology: wait for viral moments, then freestyle about them. That approach gave us countless songs and videos that captured cultural moments in real-time. He was Houston's digital-age chronicler, turning internet chaos into club anthems.
His videos celebrated female sexuality without exploitation. Yes, there was twerking. Yes, there were provocative themes. But the women in his videos always seemed in on the joke, empowered by their sexuality rather than objectified by it. That distinction mattered.
On August 15, 2024, BeatKing collapsed while doing a morning radio takeover at Urban One/Radio One station and was rushed to a Houston hospital, where he passed away later that day with his two daughters by his side. The hip-hop community lost more than a producer and rapper—we lost an innovator who understood how to make music that moved both bodies and culture.
These ten music videos represent just a fraction of his visual output, but they capture the essence of what made BeatKing irreplaceable: his energy, his fearlessness, his Houston pride, and his commitment to making music that made people move. Club Godzilla may be gone, but his sound will forever live in the clubs.
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Frequently Asked Questions About BeatKing
Who was BeatKing and what was he known for?
BeatKing, born Justin Seth Riley on November 24, 1984, was a Houston-based rapper, producer, and songwriter who became known as "Club Godzilla." He rose to prominence with his 2010 album "Kings of the Club" featuring viral hits like "Crush" and "Hammer."
His biggest mainstream success came with "Then Leave" featuring Queendom Come in 2020, which went viral on TikTok and introduced him to international audiences.
BeatKing was known for his club anthems, provocative music videos, and his unique approach of creating songs based on viral internet moments.
How did BeatKing die and when?
BeatKing passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 39. According to his manager and multiple reports, he suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism. He collapsed while doing a morning radio takeover at the Urban One/Radio One station in Houston and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he passed away later that day with his two daughters by his side.
His manager, Tasha Felder, confirmed his death on Instagram, stating he had been "the best part of the club for over a decade."
What was BeatKing's biggest hit song?
"Then Leave" featuring Queendom Come, released on March 25, 2020, was BeatKing's biggest commercial success. The song went viral on TikTok in June 2020, with its audio being used in over 151,000 videos as of July 2020. It debuted at number 88 on the US Rolling Stone Top 100 and reached number 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The song also reached the Top 20 of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
Another major hit was "THICK" featuring DJ Chose, which earned platinum certification.
What was the #CucumberChallenge and how did BeatKing start it?
The #CucumberChallenge was a viral social media trend that originated from BeatKing's 2017 music video for "Scream," directed by HalfpintFilmz. The video featured women provocatively sucking on cucumbers and eggplants, simulating oral sex.
Although the video was released in 2017, it didn't go viral until summer 2019. The challenge encouraged participants to recreate similar content, which became controversial but generated massive engagement. The trend even got rapper YFN Lucci in trouble with his then-girlfriend Reginae Carter (Lil Wayne's daughter) when he participated.
What artists did BeatKing collaborate with during his career?
BeatKing collaborated with an impressive roster of artists throughout his career, including Houston legends like Bun B, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, and Lil' Keke. He also worked with major mainstream artists such as Ludacris, 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Moneybagg Yo, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, City Girls, and Gangsta Boo.
He frequently collaborated with female rappers including Queendom Come (his most frequent collaborator), Sukihana, Erica Banks, Whip The Rapper, and Diamond The Body. His ability to bridge underground Houston rap with mainstream success made him a sought-after producer and collaborator.
What was BeatKing's real name and background?
BeatKing's real name was Justin Seth Riley. He was born on November 24, 1984, in Houston, Texas, and grew up in a musical household.
His mother was a church pianist, and he learned to play drums as a child. He began his professional music career in 2008 and made his official debut in 2010 with the album "Kings of the Club." Throughout his life, he was a father to two daughters and was deeply rooted in Houston's hip-hop scene, becoming one of the city's most recognizable figures in club music.
How many albums and mixtapes did BeatKing release?
BeatKing was an incredibly prolific artist, releasing numerous projects throughout his career. His major albums included "Kings of the Club" (2010), "Kings of the Club 2" (2011), the "Club God" series (Club God through Club God 6), the "Gangsta Stripper Music" series (1-4), "Astroworld" and "Astroworld 2," "Underground Cassette Tape Music" volumes (including a collaboration with Gangsta Boo), "Stripper Friends" (2018), and his final album "Never Leave Houston on a Sunday" (2024), released just before his death.
Between 2012 and 2014, he released five mixtapes in just 18 months, demonstrating his work ethic and creative output.
What made BeatKing's music videos unique?
BeatKing's music videos were characterized by their authentic portrayal of Houston club culture, featuring energetic party scenes, confident women twerking, and unapologetic sexual themes.
Unlike highly produced mainstream videos, his visuals often felt like well-shot documentation of actual parties and club environments. He frequently worked with directors like DJFilms Productions, HalfpintFilmz, and 6KJEFE who understood his vision.
His videos championed sex-positivity, female sexuality and gave female rappers platforms to be as explicit and confident as their male counterparts. He also pioneered creating music videos in response to viral internet moments, turning trending topics into visual content quickly.
What does "Club Godzilla" mean?
"Club Godzilla" was one of BeatKing's primary stage names and alter egos, reflecting his dominant presence in Houston's club scene. Just as Godzilla is a massive, unstoppable force, BeatKing positioned himself as the king of club music, a someone whose tracks could take over any nightclub or party.
The name appeared in his social media handles (@Clubgodzilla) and was used by fans and collaborators to refer to him. His manager's tribute after his death specifically mentioned "Today, August 15, 2024, we have lost @Clubgodzilla," showing how integral this moniker was to his identity.
Who were BeatKing's daughters and what is known about his personal life?
BeatKing was a father to two daughters who were extremely important to him. According to reports of his final moments, his daughters were with him at the radio station when he collapsed and remained by his side at the hospital when he passed away.
His manager's statement emphasized that "He loved his daughters @clubgodparenting, his music and his fans." While BeatKing was open about his music career, he kept much of his personal life and his daughters' identities relatively private, though he occasionally referenced fatherhood in interviews and on social media. His dedication to his daughters was frequently mentioned by those close to him as one of his defining characteristics.
Conclusion: Long Live The Club God
BeatKing's impact on Southern hip-hop is immeasurable. He wasn't just a rapper; he was a cultural architect who understood how to make music that moved people—physically and emotionally. His videos captured a specific era of club culture that was raw, authentic, and unapologetically fun. While his passing leaves a void in the industry, his massive catalog ensures that the party will continue.
If his videography has you ready to curate your own high-energy playlist, dive deeper into the culture BeatKing defined:
- Explore our comprehensive list of female rappers to find more artists dominating the Southern scene.
- Check out our female rappers blog for the latest news on the women BeatKing frequently championed.
- Looking for more high-energy tracks? Browse our collection of hot music videos and top stripper anthems that keep the club vibe alive.
BeatKing's lyrics were often filled with specific regional dialect that gave his music its unique flavor. To fully appreciate the artistry, brush up on your Texas words and phrases or expand your hip-hop vocabulary with our guide to rap words and party words.
Club Godzilla may be gone, but his sound and the culture he loved, will forever live in the clubs.
