- He produced Eminem’s Stan and Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
- A number of his contemporaries paid tribute to him following the news of his death
- The cause of death of DJ Mark the 45 King was not disclosed
DJ Mark the 45th King has passed away at the age of 62.
The music industry professional had worked with big names like Eminem, Jay-Z and Queen Latifah, who paid tribute to him following the news of his death.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mentor DJ Mark the 45 King!” Queen Latifah said in a statement. ‘He believed in me before anyone else. He touched every life he encountered.
‘I’ve never met anyone like him; he wanted everyone around him to win. His spirit was magical and will surely live forever.”
Eminem wrote on Twitter: ‘Legends are never over…I am eternally grateful’
Details: DJ Mark the 45 King has passed away at the age of 62. The music industry professional had worked with big names like Eminem, Jay-Z and Queen Latifah, who remembered him after the news of his death
The veteran music producer was photographed at his home studio in New York on October 10, 1994
The music professional had worked on notable hits such as Eminem’s 2000’s Stan, Jay-Z’s 1998 Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) and Queen Latifah’s 1989 breakthrough hit, Ladies First.
DJ Mark the 45 King worked as a producer for artists such as MC Lyte, Craig Mack and Rakim; he had also remixed music for artists such as Madonna, Public Enemy, Lisa Stansfield, Salt-N-Pepa and Eric B. & Rakim.
DJ Premier, famed producer and Gang Starr alum, spoke about his late colleague’s vast legacy and talents at a memorial event
“His sound was unlike any other, apart from his heavy drums, and his horns were so clearly heard in every production,” he said.
He noted that Mark, who turned 62 earlier this week, was “responsible for so many classics” from a range of leading artists.
He thanked Dave Lotwin, a music industry professional, for calling Mark via FaceTime while he was in the hospital “to say hi to him one last time before he transitioned,” adding, “I know he heard me loud and clear.’
DJ Premier concluded by saying: ‘Sleep well Mark, thank you for everything you have done. You are such a special part of our culture, carved into the stone of most of us.”
A representative for the late producer confirmed his death Variety Thursday; his cause of death was not disclosed.
Eminem wrote: ‘Legends are never over…I’m always grateful’
DJ Premier spoke during a memorial about the enormous legacy and talents of his deceased colleague