DJ Unk, the American DJ, hype man, and rapper, who was best known for his 2006 snap hit “Walk It Out”, has died.
The beloved rapper passed away at the age of 43.
DJ Unk, an Atlanta-based musician, whose full name was Anthony Leonard Platt, rose to widespread recognition following the release of his 2006 hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step”.
The news of the rapper’s sad passing was shared on Friday by his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, who announced the heartbreaking development on Facebook.
She wrote: “Please respect me and my family. I just lost my husband, and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.”
However, the cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.
Following the confirmation of his death, hundreds of DJ Unk’s fans quickly took to the comments of Sherkita Long-Platt’s post to post their condolences and express their devastation.
Korey ‘Big Oomp’ Roberson, the founder of Big Oomp Records, the record label that signed DJ Unk, has also paid tribute, in a statement that was shared to the NY Post.
The statement read: ‘DJ Unk was not just a legendary DJ, rapper and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label and the imprint that he left globally will be cherished forever.
‘Hit songs such as Walk It Out and 2 Step have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire artists, DJs, and fans alike for years to come. His energy, creativity, and commitment to the craft will never be forgotten.’
Back in 2009, DJ Unk was rushed to hospital when he suffered a heart attack, after experiencing severe chest pains and partial paralysis in one arm.
Following this health scare, DJ Unk later spoke to XXL about it. He said: ‘It comes from not exercising, from not eating right. Basically man, I work hard everyday. Everything I do every day I try to make something happen in my household.
‘I constantly be on the go, I constantly be on airplanes, in different weather and you know it just took a toll on me. It was stress.’
He also mentioned that he developed his health issues after he “stopped taking care of myself,” adding that he needed to regain his health, “not just for my sake, but also for my kids and my wife.”
