DJ Mark the 45 King Has Reportedly Died at Age 62. His birthday was just a few days ago (Oct. 16). DJ Premier broke the news of his death on IG.
R.I.P. DJ Mark The 45 King who passed this morning. An ICON.
His 62nd Birthday was Monday.
I never heard of Gang Starr until I heard DJ Red Alert play their 2nd single Produced by Mark on 98.7 Kiss in NYC while shopping my demos looking to get a record deal. Red Alert was playing “Bust A Move Boy” cutting it up crazy and I heard Guru’s voice wondering who the fuck is Gang Starr?
I immediately went and bought the 12inch single to discover the label Wild Pitch Records. From there my friend Carlos Garza in Houston, TX. told Stu Fine who owned Wild Pitch about me and I connected with them in 1988 when Guru was looking for a new DJ and a permanent Producer.
Mark is responsible for so many classics and was a member of the Iconic Crew FLAVOR UNIT (Queen Latifah, Latee, Chill Rob G., Lakim Shabazz, Double J, Lord Alibaski, DJ Cee Justice, Apache, Naughty By Nature, Freddie Foxxx, Markey Fresh, Rowdy Rahz, Storm P and so many more members beyond whom I’ve mentioned please pardon me if I didn’t post your name).
His sound was unlike any other from his heavy drums and his horns were so distinct on every production. He got a huge Warner Bros. deal and remixed the Classic Madonna single “Keep It Together” and the raw remix of Eric. B and Rakim “I Know You Got Soul”.
The “900 Number” is a Super Classic, Queen Latifah’s “Wrath Of My Madness”, “Ladies First” w/ Monie Love, Chill Rob G’s “Court Is In Session”, Latee “Cuts Got Flavor”, the Historical Jay-Z hit “Hard Knock Life” and Eminem’s “Stan” to name a few of his catalog will forever ring bells. Beyond that, his vinyl releases of breakbeats are beyond any DJ of the 80’s/90’s Era, practically endless. Thanks Dave Lotwin (D & D) for Facetiming me Tuesday in the hospital to salute him 1 last time before he transitioned. I know he heard me loud and clear. Condolences to his brother Mike and his sister.
It’s so much more to say but I’ll leave it here. Sleep Peacefully Mark thank you for all that you’ve done. Such a nice person. You’re such a special part of our culture that is chiseled in the stone of the greatest parts of us. LOVE YOU MARK🫡❤️🕊️🙏🏾
R.I.P. GURU, Apache, Double J, Markey Fresh
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The rest of the hip-hop community continue to pay respect to DJ Mark upon hearing the news.
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Rest easy 45 KING. One of the original architects of production / greatest of all time . 🕊️
— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) October 19, 2023
Mark the 45 King 🙏🙏🙏 .. RIP king .. THANK YOU!!
— DJ Green Lantern (@DJGREENLANTERN) October 19, 2023
Throughout his career, DJ Mark the 45 King has produced tracks for Eric B. and Rakim, Gang Starr, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, and Common and produced “Hard Knock Life (The Ghetto Anthem)” for Jay-Z and “Stan” for Eminem.
