Legendary Hip-Hop Producer Mark The 45 King Dead At 62

The Bronx native produced classics by JAY-Z, Eminem, Queen Latifah and more.

Rap Producer/Artist DJ Mark The 45 King (aka Mark Howard James) appears in a portrait in his home studio on October 10, 1994 in New York City.

Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives

DJ Mark The 45 King, the producer behind hits by JAY-Z, Eminem, Queen Latifah, and more, has reportedly passed away at age 62. No cause of death has been revealed at this time.

On Thursday (Oct. 19), DJ Premier announced The 45 King’s death in a heartfelt post on social media, in which he noted the boardsman’s 62nd birthday had occurred just three days prior on Monday (Oct. 16).

“R.I.P. DJ Mark The 45 King who passed this morning,” Premier wrote, deeming the late producer an “ICON.” Born in the Bronx, DJ Mark The 45 King first gained famed with his 1987 single “The 900 Number,” a popular break-beat that has since been used and remixed by countless across the globe.

He also played an integral part in the creation of the Flava Unit, which included stars Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Freddie Foxx, Latee, Lakim Shabazz, Apache, Chill Rob G, and more.

A production mainstay during the latter half of the ’80s, DJ Mark The 45 King also found success in the ’90s and ’00s, as he scored massive hits like JAY-Z’s 1998 single “Hard Knock Life” and Eminem’s conceptual masterpiece “Stan” in 2000.

In the tribute, Premier revealed the link between The 45 King, his late Gang Starr groupmate Guru, and himself, crediting the DJ in part with the legendary duo’s creation. “I never heard of Gang Starr until I heard DJ Red Alert play their 2nd single Produced by Mark on 98.7 Kiss in NYC while shopping my demos looking to get a record deal,” the Texas native recalled.

“Red Alert was playing ‘Bust A Move Boy’ cutting it up crazy and I heard Guru’s voice wondering who the f**k is Gang Starr? I immediately went and bought the 12inch single to discover the label Wild Pitch Records. From there my friend Carlos Garza in Houston, TX told Stu Fine who owned Wild Pitch about me and I connected with them in 1988 when Guru was looking for a new DJ and a permanent producer.”

The production stalwart also praised The 45 King’s unique sound and approach, noting his “heavy drums” and “distinct horns” as being hallmarks of his style. “He got a huge Warner Bros. deal and remixed the Classic Madonna single ‘Keep It Together’ and the raw remix of Eric. B and Rakim ‘I Know You Got Soul,” Premier added. “Beyond that, his vinyl releases of breakbeats are beyond any DJ of the 80’s/90’s Era, practically endless.”

He then revealed that he had the opportunity to speak to The 45 King on Tuesday while the producer was in the hospital, in which he “saluted” him for his contributions to the culture. “Thanks Dave Lotwin (D & D) for Facetiming me Tuesday in the hospital to salute him 1 last time before he transitioned. I know he heard me loud and clear.”

DJ Mark The 45 King (aka Mark Howard James) appears in a portrait taken on October 10, 1994, in his home in New York City.

Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michaels Ochs Archives

The New Yorker ended the message by extending well-wishes and love to The 45 King’s family and the DJ himself. “Condolences to his brother Mike and his sister. It’s so much more to say but I’ll leave it here. Sleep Peacefully Mark thank you for all that you’ve done. Such a nice person. You’re such a special part of our culture that is chiseled in the stone of the greatest parts of us. LOVE YOU MARK.”

See DJ Premier’s tribute to DJ Mark The 45 King below.

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