Mark Howard James, the DJ and producer finest referred to as DJ Mark The 45 King, has died. His pal DJ Premier broke the information with a heartfelt tribute immediately on Instagram. No reason behind dying was revealed. Mark was 62.

Mark was born within the Bronx in 1961. He rose to prominence as a producer along with his oft-sampled 1987 single “The 900 Quantity.” That 12 months his productions additionally included early tracks by Gang Starr, which helped convey them to the eye of Premier, their future shut collaborator. Mark’s crew the Taste Unit included acts like Chill Rob G, Lakim Shabazz, Apache, and Queen Latifah, whose 1989 breakthrough All Hail The Queen helped convey Mark additional to prominence. Within the early ’90s, Latifah took over management of the Taste Crew as Mark struggled with dependancy, however his profession later bounced again in a giant method. His finest identified beats embody two classics hits that turned crossover smash hits, Jay-Z’s “Arduous Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” and Eminem’s “Stan,” however he additionally labored with fellow legends like Eric B. & Rakim, MC Lyte, and Frequent.

Should you actually need to find out about Mark’s life, although, Premier’s tribute is a ravishing place to begin. Learn that right here:

R.I.P. DJ Mark The 45 King who handed this morning. An ICON.

His 62nd Birthday was Monday.

I by no means heard of Gang Starr till I heard DJ Purple Alert play their 2nd single Produced by Mark on 98.7 Kiss in NYC whereas procuring my demos trying to get a file deal.
Purple Alert was taking part in “Bust A Transfer Boy” slicing it up loopy and I heard Guru’s voice questioning who the fuck is Gang Starr?

I instantly went and acquired the 12inch single to find the label Wild Pitch Data.

From there my pal Carlos Garza in Houston, TX. advised Stu High-quality who owned Wild Pitch about me and I linked with them in 1988 when Guru was in search of a brand new DJ and a everlasting Producer.

Mark is accountable for so many classics and was a member of the Iconic Crew FLAVOR UNIT (Queen Latifah, Latee, Chill Rob G., Lakim Shabazz, Double J, Lord Alibaski, DJ Cee Justice, Apache, Naughty By Nature, Freddie Foxxx, Markey Recent, Rowdy Rahz, Storm P, Shakim and so many extra members past whom I’ve talked about please pardon me if I didn’t put up your identify).

Salute DJ BREAKOUT.

His sound was not like some other from his heavy drums and his horns have been so distinct on each manufacturing.

He acquired an enormous Warner Bros. deal and remixed the Basic Madonna single “Hold It Collectively” and the uncooked remix of Eric B. & Rakim “I Know You Bought Soul”.

The “900 Quantity” is a Tremendous Basic, Queen Latifah’s “Wrath Of My Insanity”, “Girls First” w/ Monie Love, Chill Rob G’s “Court docket Is In Session”, Latee “Cuts Bought Taste”, the Historic Jay-Z hit “Arduous Knock Life” and Eminem’s “Stan” to call a couple of of his catalog will without end ring bells.

Past that, his vinyl releases of breakebeats are past any DJ of the 80’s/90’s Period, virtually limitless.
Thanks Dave Lotwin (D & D) for Facetiming me Tuesday within the hospital to salute him 1 final time earlier than he transitioned. I do know he heard me loud and clear.

Condolences to his brother Mike and his sister.

It’s a lot extra to say however I’ll depart it right here.

Sleep Peacefully Mark thanks for all that you just’ve finished.

You’re such a particular a part of our tradition that’s chiseled within the stone of the best components of us. LOVE YOU MARK

R.I.P. GURU, Apache, Double J, Markey Recent