DJ Unk – Credit: Ben Rose/WireImage
DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper who scored a pair of mid-2000s hits with “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” has died at the age of 43.
The rapper born Anthony Platt’s wife announced her husband’s death on social media, “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.” No cause of death was provided.
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Unk’s former label Big Oomp Records also confirmed the rapper’s death in a social media statement (via Variety), “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of a true ATL legend, Anthony Platt better known as ‘DJ Unk.’ 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 Atlanta-born rapper, who emerged out of the city’s snap subgenre of the crunk movement, signed to Big Oomp in 2000. Six years later, Unk released his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block!, featuring “Walk It Out,” which became a platinum-selling Hot 100 hit, peaking at Number 10 in 2006; the track’s official remix in 2007 featured an appearance by OutKast, marking one of that Atlanta rap duo’s final credited songs together.
The album’s follow-up single “2 Step” reached Number 24 on the charts. Unk’s second album 2econd Season — featuring guests like Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Ying Yang Twins, and Sean Kingston — arrived in 2008.
However, the following year, Platt suffered a heart attack — which he attributed to stress, non-stop touring, and an unhealthy lifestyle — that forced him to scale back his career. Unk remained active until his death, including a performance of “Walk It Out” at the 2023 BET Awards.
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