What Really Happened to DJ Unk? — Walk It Out Rapper Dead at 43
DJ Unk cause of death could be related to a previous health problem. News of his death has shocked the hip-hop community.
The Heart of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop Silenced: DJ Unk Has Died
Atlanta’s hip-hop community is reeling with shock and sorrow as news broke of the sudden passing of DJ Unk (Anthony Leonard Platt) on January 24, 2025. He was just 43. In an emotional post, his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, confirmed his death on Facebook, pleading for privacy as the family grapples with this devastating loss. The cause of death remains shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation and heartbreak across the music community.
DJ Unk was more than an artist — he was a cultural movement. Bursting onto the scene in 2006 with his electrifying debut album, Beat’n Down Yo Block!, Unk gifted the world with timeless cuts like Walk It Out and 2 Step.
These tracks didn’t just dominate the charts — they defined an era. DJ Unk’s dance craze hit Walk It Out climbed to the Billboard Hot 100’s top ten, with its iconic remix featuring heavyweights André 3000, T-Pain, and Jim Jones. This wasn’t just music. It was a revolution of sound that catapulted Atlanta’s snap movement to the forefront of hip-hop.
He Had a Heart Attack Previously
Unk’s journey wasn’t without trials. In 2009, a harrowing heart attack served as a wake-up call, forcing him to confront the toll his lifestyle had taken. The rapper admitted that non-stop touring chaos, poor eating habits, smoking, and drinking caused the heart attack that nearly claimed his life.
But Unk fought back, trading excess for health. His resilience shone through in 2017 with the release of his third album, Fresh Off Dem Papers, a triumphant testament to his unwavering passion for music.
To Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson, founder of Big Oomp Records, said that DJ Unk was more than a label signee — he was family and a “true ATL legend,” Big Oomp shared, lauding the energy and creativity Unk poured into every beat and lyric.
From Outkast to Three 6 Mafia to the Ying Yang Twins, Unk’s collaborations showcased his versatility and deep roots in Atlanta’s music scene. He wasn’t just a part of hip-hop — he was the pulse of it.
The void left by DJ Unk’s passing is immeasurable, but his legacy — a pioneer of the snap music movement, a voice of a generation — will forever echo in the rhythms of Atlanta’s streets and beyond. Rest in power, DJ Unk.
What are your thoughts on this shocking news about the death of DJ Unk? Comment below.
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