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    DJ Unk, Iconic Hype Man and Rapper, Reportedly Dies at 43

    The hip-hop world has lost one of its own in the person of Anthony Leonard Platt, popularly known as DJ Unk, who died on January 24, 2025. He was 43. His family and Big Oomp Records, his former label, confirmed the sad news earlier today. The cause of his death has not been made public yet, but tributes have started pouring in from fans and fellow artists alike who recognize his indelible mark in music.

    Born November 28, 1982, in Atlanta, Georgia, DJ Unk’s route to music was highly tinged with the shades of his hometown, which has given birth to so many hip-hop legends. He began deejaying when he was just 17 years old, joining the Southern Style DJs alongside a lineup featuring heavyweights like DJ Jelly and DJ Montay. Soon enough, Unk’s charisma and flair for working the crowd gained him recognition as one of the more talented performers in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene.

    The tracks “Walk It Out” and “2 Step” made DJ Unk historically popular around the mid-2000s. Both captured the Billboard and club charts. Starting out as a platinum anthem, “Walk It Out” made its way to position number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. A remix version was made for this song, featuring Andre 3000 and Jim Jones. “2 Step,” another club favorite, cemented Unk as one of the originators of the snap music movement-a subgenre that brought Southern hip-hop to the forefront. His 2006 debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block!

    DJ Unk, really is a cornerstone of the era, with his hit tracks that quite literally defined a generation. Despite his success, DJ Unk did have to fight a great deal with health issues. He even said, after suffering from a heart attack in 2009, it is because of intense touring, coupled with poor diet and substance use. He gave many interviews regarding all these issues in his life so far openly and used it as a precautionary tale on a regular basis for every artist around the music industries.

    Against all odds, he made a triumphant return to the stage, including an unforgettable appearance at the 2023 BET Awards, where he reminded fans of his enduring talent and energy.

    Unk had been married to Sherkita Long-Platt, who wrote sorrowfully on her social media page: “My heart is broken beyond repair. You were my rock, my love, my everything. Life will never be the same without you.” Big Oomp Records equally released a statement for his memory, describing him as “an irreplaceable force in hip-hop whose energy, creativity, and passion touched countless lives.

    Along with his most popular singles, DJ Unk produced tracks like “Show Out” and “Have a Toast,” which reached music lovers’ hearts and proved he is an all-rounder. For many of his listeners, the music wasn’t just one hot hook and beat one could dance to but called for celebrations, milestones, and life in general. From the clubs of Atlanta to house parties everywhere, his sound brought people together.

    These reflect not only upon his contributions from both fans and artists but also what might ensnare future talents since such style will be looked upon for motivation. Whether by the continued crossover chart success of “Walk It Out” or with literally countless artists continuing to work based off snaps derived of what he innovated, his music legacy is at rest, safe. More than anything else, DJ Unk reminded that music should be moving, really-not just body muscles, not emotional ones.

    Rest in peace, DJ Unk; may your beat forever be in our hearts.r beat forever be in our hearts.

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