Atlanta-based rapper DJ Unk has died. He was 43. Unk’s wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, announced his death on Facebook on Friday. “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.”
DJ Unk, real name Anthony Leonard Platt, rose to fame with his 2006 club hit “Walk It Out.” The song established DJ Unk as a hip-hop icon and a leader of the snap music movement.
Unk began his career spinning records at high school events, proms and pep rallies. In 2000, Big Oomp signed Unk to his label, Big Oomp Records. In 2006 Unk released his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block! The album spawned the hit singles “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.”
In 2008 Unk released the album 2econd Season which spawned the single “Show Out”. In 2009 he suffered a stroke but recovered and returned to the studio in 2013.
He released the single “Have A Toast” followed by “Wait” in 2014.
No cause of death was announced.