Photo: Getty Images
DJ Unk, the rapper who made several notable hits like "Walk It Out" and "2 Step," has passed away.
On Friday night, January 24, the Atlanta native's wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, revealed the tragic news in a Facebook post. She didn't disclose a cause of death. The artist, born Anthony Leonard Platt, was survived by his wife and their five children. He was 43.
"Please respect me and my family," Sherika wrote in her post. "I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER"
Photo: Facebook
Unk got his start in the music industry in the late 1990s after he joined Southern Style DJs with DJ Jelly and DJ Montay. After performing at various events in Georgia, Unk was signed by Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson to Big Oomp Records in 2000. He dropped his breakthrough hit "Walk It Out" in 2006 a few months before he released his debut album Beat'n Down Yo Block! The album also features "2 Step," which spawned a remix with T-Pain.
“DJ Unk was not just a legendary DJ, rapper, and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label, and the imprint that he left globally will be cherished forever,” Roberson wrote in a tribute post on Big Oomp Records’ Instagram page. “Hit songs such as ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’ have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire artists, DJs, and fans alike for years to come. His energy, creativity, and commitment to the craft will never be forgotten.”
Unk continued to release music like "Show Out" from his sophomore LP Second Season. However, his career slowed down after he suffered from a mild heart attack in 2009. He recovered but did not drop music as frequently as he did before. His legacy went on to influence a generation of artists. GloRilla recently sampled his song "Hold On Ho" on her recent hit "Hollon" from her debut album Glorious.
Rest in peace DJ Unk.