Popular Hip Hop/Rap Artist Passed Away At 43

Oomp Camp, YouTube

Atlanta rapper DJ Unk, best known for his hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” has passed away at the age of 43. Born Anthony Leonard Platt, Unk died on Friday, as confirmed by Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson, the founder of Big Oomp Records, the label that signed him in 2000.

 

 

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Unk’s wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, shared the heartbreaking news in an emotional Facebook post.

“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”

While the exact cause of death has not been disclosed, a source informed The Post that he had reportedly been dealing with “health complications.” In a 2009 interview with XXL, Unk revealed that he had previously been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack, which he attributed to the toll of nonstop touring, unhealthy eating, and excessive drinking and smoking.

Anthony Leonard Platt, professionally known as DJ Unk, was an Atlanta-born rapper and DJ whose catchy anthems and charismatic style left a lasting impact on the hip-hop scene. Born on March 28, 1980, Unk emerged in the early 2000s as part of Atlanta’s flourishing music scene, signing with Big Oomp Records in 2000 under the guidance of Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson.

 

Unk’s breakthrough came in 2006 with the release of his debut album, Beat’n Down Yo Block!, which included the chart-topping hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.” These singles became dancefloor staples, fueled by infectious beats and simple, memorable hooks that captured the essence of Southern party culture. “Walk It Out” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling Unk into national stardom.

Unk’s music was celebrated for its ability to unite people on the dance floor and its significant contribution to the snap music movement, a subgenre of Southern hip-hop. He also gained recognition for his collaborations with prominent artists, including OutKast’s André 3000, Jim Jones, and T-Pain, who appeared on remixes of his biggest hits.

Rest In Peace.