Atlanta Rapper DJ Unk Dies At 43, Tributes Pour In
DJ Unk's family issued a statement to confirm his passing at the age of 43. The cause behind his death is unknown.
In a shocking piece of news for the music fraternity, Atlanta rapper and DJ Unk has passed away at the age of 43. Best known for his 2006 snap smash Walk It Out, the rapper’s family confirmed the news on Friday, January 24. His wife Sherkita Long-Platt on Facebook shared a heart-wrenching note revealing the news.
“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," the post read.
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A representative from his former label Big Oomp Records has paid tribute to the singer.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of a true ATL legend, Anthony Platt better known as ‘DJ Unk.’ 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," the label said.
DJ Unk’s Career
It is noteworthy that Unk suffered certain health issues in 2009 which significantly affected his music career.
Speaking to the XXL Magazine in 2010, Unk revealed he suffered from heart attack. “Basically man, I work hard every day. Everything I do every day I try to make something happen in my household. I constantly am on the go, I constantly am on airplanes, in different weather and you know it just took a toll on me. It was stress," he said.
DJ Unk began his musical career at the very young age of 17, linking up with DJ Jelly and DJ Montay. He later signed with Big Oomp Records and released his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block in 2006. Unk’s 2006 debut single Walk It Out also came around the same time, becoming a major hit. It climbed to No.10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
However, it was his 2009 illness that slowed down Unk’s career in the following years with a few one-off singles and a full-length titled Fresh Off Dem Papers. The rapper most recently appeared on the stage at the BET Awards last year to perform Walk It Out as a part of a medley.
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