Walk It Out rapper dies aged 43 as wife says life 'won't be the same again'
DJ Unk, real name Anthony Leonard Platt, has sadly passed away at the age of 42, his wife has confirmed as fans and music industry figures alike lead the tributes
DJ Unk, real name Anthony Leonard Platt, has sadly passed away at the age of 42, his wife has confirmed as fans and music industry figures alike lead the tributesDJ Unk has died with tributes pouring in from across the music industry (
Image: Getty Images)
The music world is in mourning as DJ Unk, famed for the smash hit 'Walk It Out', has died at the age of 42.
His wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, shared a poignant message on Facebook, leading to an outpouring of tributes from peers. In a statement shared on the Meta platform, she said: "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."
The Atlanta rapper gained stardom with 'Walk It Out' peaking at No. 2 and '2 Step' hitting No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Known offstage as Anthony Leonard Platt, he battled health issues in 2009, TMZ reports, though his recent death's cause is yet to be revealed.
DJ Unk left a lasting impression after joining Big Oomp Records in 2000, becoming a key figure in 'snap music', a subgenre of crunk that became popular in the mid-2000s. Korey "Big Oomp" Robinson, head of the label, paid tribute in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "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."
DJ Unk's wife shared an emotional tribute on Facebook (
Image:
Getty Images for BET)
He continued: "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.", reports the Daily Star. He commended Unk's unforgettable "His energy, creativity, and commitment to the craft will never be forgotten."
Fellow artist and friend, DJ Montay, also expressed his grief on Facebook, saying: "RIP Unk glad to say we was able to make history together." Fans are mourning the loss of a true Southern music heavyweight, flooding social media with messages like: "A real Atlanta legend.. May he rest in peace."
Others paid homage to his influential career: "Shout out to DJ Unk, who passed away today at 42. Dude may have been one of, if not the first, ATL artists to have a local indie nightclub hit take off and go mainstream platinum in the early blogging/social media era."
Atlanta's NFL team paid their respects via Instagram: "Rest in Peace, DJ Unk." Renowned for his work not only alongside Dj Montay but also with artists such as V. I. C. , DJ Unk was a key figure in the snap music scene, which took the 2000s by storm.
Despite his later music not reaching the huge heights of success of his earlier hits, his influence is undeniable. Anthony is survived by his cherished wife and children.
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