DJ Unk passes away
DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper celebrated for his ’00s hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” has passed away at the age of 42.
The news was confirmed by his wife Sherkita Long-Platt on social media on Friday (January 24), though the cause of death remains unverified.
“Please respect me and my family,” Long-Platt expressed on Facebook. “I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.”
Career highlights and tribute
The artist, whose real name was Anthony Leonard Platt, began his career in Atlanta as a teenager in 1998, initially as part of the Southern Style DJ crew, before he signed with Big Oomp Records as a solo artist.
RIP DJ Unk, the creator of “Walk It Out”, has sadly passed away at the age of 42, his family confirmed in several emotional Instagram posts. #TEAR pic.twitter.com/0BNm5NbFur
— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) January 24, 2025
Considered a significant figure in snap music, a subgenre of crunk, he achieved major success in 2006 with “Walk It Out” and “2 Step”. The former hit the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and resulted in a remix featuring Andre 3000. Both tracks appeared on Unk’s debut album, Beat’n Down Yo Block!, released in the same year, which also included works like Baby D and Jazze Pha.
His second studio album, 2econd Season, came out in 2008, shortly before he suffered a heart attack in 2009, which he attributed to “not exercising and not eating right.” His output diminished due to health challenges, although he did release the album “Fresh Off Dem Papers” in 2017.
A representative from Big Oomp Records paid tribute to Unk, stating, “It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce the passing of a true ATL legend, Anthony Platt, better known as “DJ Unk.”
“DJ Unk was not only a legendary DJ, rapper and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label, and the mark he left on the world will be treasured forever.”
Unk’s last major performance was at the 2023 BET Awards, where he performed “Walk It Out” in a medley that also featured Soulja Boy and FLY.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/walk-it-out-rapper-dj-unk-has-died-aged-42-3831949?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=walk-it-out-rapper-dj-unk-has-died-aged-42
