Walk It Out Rapper DJ Unk, Icon of Southern Hip-Hop, Passes Away at 43

Trigger Warning: The following article contains mentions of death. Atlanta-based rapper DJ Unk, best known for his 2006 hit Walk It Out, has died at the age of 43. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. His wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, made a statement on social media regarding his passing while requesting privacy during this difficult time. Born Anthony Leonard Platt, DJ Unk was signed by Big Oomp Records in 2000, and his debut album, Beat’n Down Yo Block!, was released in 2006. The album featured the platinum single Walk It Out, which became synonymous with mid-2000s Southern hip-hop. Another one of his hit songs, 2 Step, followed suit, further solidifying his place in the Atlanta rap scene. The success of these two tracks established DJ Unk as a prominent figure in the genre. Unk’s wife shared on Facebook, “Please respect me and my family. I just lost my husband, and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.” Despite facing health issues, including a heart attack in 2009, Unk continued to create music. He had attributed the heart attack to his lifestyle, which included nonstop touring, unhealthy eating...