HIP-HOP HAS LOST A KING

Mark The 45 King, a legendary Bronx DJ and member of the Flavor Unit, died Wednesday (10/18). He was 62. While the cause of death has not been revealed, the producer had been ill for some time, according to longtime friends.

Mark The 45 King (né Mark Howard James) began making music in the 1980s. His name referred to his ability to make beats using 45 RPM records. After dropping “The 900 Number” in 1987—which has been sampled by Public Enemy, DJ Kool and Breakestra—his big break came in 1989 when fellow Flavor Unit member Queen Latifah signed with Tommy Boy Records and released All Hail the Queen. The 45 King did extensive production on the album and earned countless accolades for the project.

The 45 King struggled with drug addiction throughout the 1990s and Queen Latifah was forced to take control of the Flavor Unit collective. In 1995, she and business partner Shakim Compere established Flavor Unit Management, which boasted clients like Monica, Outkast, Faith Evans, LL COOL J and Naughty By Nature.

In 1998, The 45 King re-emerged with his sobriety intact and produced “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” for Jay-Z then followed up with the platinum-certified single “Stan” for Eminem in 2002. Eminem, DJ Premier and DJ Green Lantern are among the many hip-hop legends paying tribute on social media. Find their reactions below.

Legends are never over. #RIP Mark Howard James aka The 45 King … I’m 4ever grateful!!! https://t.co/s4ywAw6r03

— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) October 19, 2023

Mark the 45 King 🙏🙏🙏 .. RIP king .. THANK YOU!!

— DJ Green Lantern (@DJGREENLANTERN) October 19, 2023