Mark Howard James, the producer known as “DJ Mark The 45 King” who worked with such rap hitmakers as Queen Latifah, Jay-Z and Eminem among many others, has died at 62. His manager confirmed ...

DJ Premier of rap duo Gang Starr announced Thursday on ... Mark the 45 King, real name Mark Howard James, was known for his signature track, “The 900 Number.” He produced famous tracks ...

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 first hit track was the highly sampled “The ...