Known for the distinctively jazzy flavor of his beats, he contributed tracks to Queen Latifah’s debut album and produced the Eminem hip-hop classic “Stan.” By Orlando Mayorquin The 45 King ...

Hip-hop pioneer DJ Mark the 45 King, whose iconic tracks have been sampled repeatedly by the music genre, has died. He was 62. The record producer’s manager confirmed Thursday in an e-mail to ...

I know he heard me loud and clear ... was a DJ and producer who went by the moniker the 45 King due to his ability to create beats using obscure 45 RPM records. The 45 King rose to prominence ...

He earned his professional name by culling bits ... #RIP Mark Howard James aka the 45 King … I’m 4ever grateful!!!” Jay-Z added: “Thank you Mark. Your instrumentals, namely ‘The 900 ...

The specific details surrounding The 45 King’s death haven’t been revealed, but promoter Van Silk told AllHipHop he’d been sick for some time.

No cause of death was cited; he was 62. “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved Mentor DJ Mark the 45 King!,” Latifah said in a statement. “He believed in me ...

The 45 King, who was born Mark Howard James, was a pioneer in the 1980s New York hip-hop scene and worked with early rap stars like the Funky 4. His pseudonym, the 45 King, came from his ability ...