DJ Mark the 45 King, Producer for Eminem, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Dies at 62
variety.comJem Aswad Executive Editor, Music DJ Mark the 45 King, who produced or co-produced such hip-hop classics as Eminem’s “Stan,” Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” and early Queen Latifah hits like “Wrath of My Madness” and “Ladies First,” has died, a rep confirms to Variety.
No cause of death was cited; he was 62. “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved Mentor DJ Mark the 45 King!,” Latifah said in a statement. “He believed in me before anyone else.
He touched every life he encountered. I’ve never met someone like him; he wanted everyone around him to win. His spirit was magic and will certainly live forever.” Legendary hip-hop producer and Gang Starr member DJ Premier wrote on Instagram, “His sound was unlike any other from his heavy drums and his horns were so distinct on every production.” Born Mark Howard James in 1961 in the New York City borough of the Bronx, Mark began DJing in the 1980s and acquired his stage name from his use of obscure 7” singles.
He signed a production deal with Tuff City Records and used his status to advance the careers of his expanded crew, known as the Flavor Unit, of which Latifah, along with Chill Rob G, Apache and others, were members.
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