ATLANTA — The family of an Atlanta hip-hop pioneer who died on Friday revealed his cause of death.
DJ Unk, whose real name was Anthony Leonard Platt, died in his sleep from a heart attack, his wife Sherkita Long-Platt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Long-Platt also told TMZ that she wants to dispel any rumors that her husband’s death was drug-related.
In a social media post after his death, Long-Platt asked for respect during this difficult time.
“I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER,” she wrote.
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Unk grew up in Atlanta and got his start with Big Oomp Records in 2000. Six years later, his debut album, “Beat’n Down Yo Block,” reached No. 21 on Billboard’s R&B and Hip-Hop chart.
“Walk It Out” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006 and “2 Step” peaked at No. 24 on the same chart a year later. In 2008, he dropped his second album “Second Season.”
“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,” Big Oomp Records said in an Instagram post.
No funeral arrangements have been announced of as Tuesday.
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