Legendary hip-hop producer, The 45 King, renowned for his work with artists like Jay-Z, Eminem, and Queen Latifah, has sadly passed away at the age of 62.
DJ Premier shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram this morning, revealing that The 45 King, born Mark James, had passed away that just a few days after celebrating his 62nd birthday.
“R.I.P. DJ Mark The 45 King who passed this morning. An ICON. His 62nd Birthday was Monday,” Premier wrote in the caption.
“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, Shakim and so many more members beyond whom I’ve mentioned please pardon me if I didn’t post your name). Salute DJ BREAKOUT. 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. & 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 breakebeats 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. 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 🫡🙏🏾❤️🕊️”
As mentioned by Premier in his Instagram post, The 45 King was responsible for producing some huge records including Eminem’s “Stan,” featuring Dido, Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life” with the iconic Annie sample, Queen Latifah’s “Ladies First,” and so many more. He also produced a remix for Canadian legend Maestro Fresh Wes’ 1990 single, “Drop The Needle.”
Our condolences go out to The 45 King’s family and friends. Rest In Peace.
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