DJ Unk, ‘Walk It Out’ rapper, dies at 43

Tragic Loss in the Hip-Hop Community

Walk It Out Singer and Atlanta native DJ Unk, (born Greg O. Platt) passed away yesterday. His wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, confirmed the sad news by releasing a touching Facebook post, where she reported on the rapper passing away on Friday at age 43. In her heart-rending letter, she revealed her personal loss and the difficulties they would face as a family. She quoted, “Please respect me and my family” and “I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same.” I LOVE YOU, ANTHONY, FOREVER.”

Sherkita Long-Platt did not disclose the cause of her husband’s death in the announcement. The lack of details regarding what led to his untimely demise has left many unanswered questions within the community and among his fans.

After DJ Unk’s passing, Big Oomp Records, his music label was the first to mourn his loss on Instagram. It calls the missing one devastated and also they said they offered their deepest sympathies to his – family, friends, and fans. In their tribute, they pointed out his immense role in the music industry by stating his memorable quote, “The world, music, artist, journalists, managers (the list of those who DJ Unk’s music meant something to is endless), music that will live on for a long time.” 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, the statement read. Their message reflects the broad influence DJ Unk had on the hip-hop scene and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.

Enduring Impact on Music

Big Oomp Records elaborated on DJ Unk’s profound impact on the music industry in their statement, emphasizing the enduring popularity of his tracks such as “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.” The record label stated that some of the great hits not only have remained in the history of music but also will influence further generations of musicians, DJs, and fans. The statement highlighted the talented musician vivacious energy, his creative nature, and his passion for his craft as outstanding qualities that will make his memory linger in the minds of a lot of people. They concluded by pleading with the public to keep DJ Unk’s family in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time, and thus the community was made aware of the deep loss.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

DJ Unk, who was firstly known as Anthony Platt, was born in 1981, he started his music profession as a DJ when he was still a boy. He teamed up with DJ Jelly and DJ Montay to create the group called Southern Style DJs. His journey with Big Oomp Records began in 2000 that was a springboard to his subsequent achievements. Platt made his mark in the industry with the release of his first album, “Beat’n Down Yo Block,” which he released under the Koch Records label in 2006.

His first album was a big hit quoiting of the fact that his single “Walk It Out” was in the 2nd spot in the Billboard R&B / Hip-Hop charts and the 10th spot on the Hot 100 charts. The song’s popularity was increased due to the remixes made with André 3000 and Jim Jones, which helped take the song to a wider audience and make it relevant. Another number that proved to be a hit from the album, “2 Step,” was quite similar to the initial success, this time climbing to No. 9 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts and No. 24 on the Hot 100. T-Pain, E40, and Jones were some of the other artists featured on the remix, showing the collaboration between the artists and the increasing musical appeal of Platt, respectively.

Continued Success and New Releases

Back in 2008, DJ Unk put out the release of his sophomore album, “2econd Season.” The album featured the likes of Sean Kingston, Ray J, Three 6 Mafia, and Ying Yang Twins with whom he performed in various tracks. These collaborations underscored his enduring relevance in hip-hop music. DJ Unk kept his creative pace up the following year with the release of three mixtapes: “Itsago The Mixtape Vol.1,” “Smoke On,” and “ATL Off Da Chain.” These ventures expanded his music career and also showed how multifaceted and dedicated he is to his craft.

DJ Unk experienced a big change in his life during 2009; he went through hard times. He was sick for most of the year after a heart attack was triggered by a poor diet, lack of exercises, and a hectic work schedule. In a 2010 interview with XXL magazine, he first time spoke about the things that bothered him in his career, mentioning constant plane travels and the different climates he met as some of the reasons for his stress and, as a result, the health problems. He expressed that his daily grind was driven by a desire to provide for his household, underscoring the personal stakes behind his vigorous work ethic.

Despite the setback of his heart attack, DJ Unk continued to release music in the early 2010s. He dropped several singles including “Get Em Up,” “Trap It Out,” and “Have a Toast,” signaling that he was not slowing down. In 2017, he came back strong with his third album, “Fresh Off Dem Papers.” This album marked a significant return to the music scene after focusing on his health and recovery, showcasing his resilience and continued passion for music.