Just two days following the tragic passing of DJ Unk, the renowned Atlanta rapper known for his iconic 2006 snap hit ?Walk It Out,? his wife has shared the details surrounding his death with the public.
Sherkita Long-Platt, DJ Unk?s grieving widow, confirmed on Friday (January 24) the heartbreaking news of her husband?s death at the young age of 43. In a touching post on Facebook, she expressed her devastation, stating, ?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.? Despite her emotional message, she initially refrained from revealing the specific cause of his death.
On Sunday (January 26), Long-Platt provided more clarity to TMZ, disclosing that DJ Unk tragically passed away in his sleep due to a cardiac arrest. Additionally, she took the opportunity to dispel any rumors regarding her husband?s alleged substance abuse issues, firmly stating that he had never struggled with drugs throughout his life.
TMZ has reported that a candlelight vigil is being organized to honor DJ Unk, set to take place on Sunday evening in his beloved Atlanta neighborhood. This gathering will serve as a heartfelt tribute to his legacy and the impact he made on the music community.
Born Anthony Leonard Platt, DJ Unk was initially part of the Southern Style DJs before signing with Big Oomp Records in the year 2000. He burst onto the music scene with his breakout single ?Walk It Out? in August 2006, which was released just months ahead of his debut album, Beat?n Down Yo Block!. This album achieved significant success, reaching No. 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. ?Walk It Out? not only peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 but also soared to No. 2 on both the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, establishing DJ Unk as a key figure in the genre.
In an interview with Billboard at the 2023 BET Awards, DJ Unk expressed his pride in the positive energy and vibes of his hit song, remarking, ?I?m glad that it?s good energy and good vibes in the song ?cause they use it as far as workout dances, they use it in church, they use it for anything.? This statement highlights the song’s versatility and its ability to resonate across various communities.
DJ Unk also expressed his immense gratitude for the feature of André 3000 on the remix of ?Walk It Out,? which included other notable artists like OutKast and Jim Jones. He reflected, ?I still can?t believe that to this day. I never dreamed that he would get on a record like that because he?s so powerful as far as hip-hop and music and everything, so it?s a blessing. That was a dream come true. It was like doing a song with Michael Jackson.? This sentiment reflects the deep respect he had for his peers in the industry.
DJ Unk’s follow-up single, ?2Step,? from his debut album Beat?n Down Yo Block!, achieved remarkable success, reaching No. 24 on the Hot 100 and securing a spot in the top 10 on both the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. The triumph of these singles solidified DJ Unk?s status as a pioneering leader of the snap subgenre within Southern hip-hop. His second album, 2econd Season, released in 2008, further showcased his talent, peaking at No. 15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Recently, DJ Unk?s influence continues to resonate in contemporary music as GloRilla?s highly anticipated 2024 debut album, Glorious, features a sample from DJ Unk?s track ?Hold on Ho? taken from Beat?n Down Yo Block!. This sampling not only highlights DJ Unk?s lasting impact on the music industry but also bridges generational gaps in hip-hop.
