DJ Clark Kent, a hip-hop superproducer who labored with the likes of Jay-Z, Mariah Carey and The Infamous B.I.G., has died at 58, his household introduced on social media.
Per the assertion, Kent (née Rodolfo Franklin) had been battling colon most cancers for the previous three years and died surrounded by his family members Thursday night.
“It’s with deep unhappiness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, recognized to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the Instagram put up learn. “Clark handed away Thursday night surrounded by his devoted spouse Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio. Clark quietly and valiantly fought a 3 12 months battle with Colon Most cancers, whereas persevering with to share his items with the world. The household is grateful for everybody’s love, assist and prayers throughout this time and ask for privateness as they course of this immense loss.”
Kent started his profession within the music business in Eighties Brooklyn, as a DJ for rapper Dana Dane. In 1995, the Panamanian American producer scored a serious chart hit with Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s debut single off the group’s first album Conspiracy, “Participant’s Anthem,” that includes Biggie Smalls and serving as Lil’ Kim’s introduction to the world. The following 12 months, Kent was instrumental to the manufacturing of Jay-Z’s debut album Affordable Doubt, producing tracks “Brooklyn’s Most interesting,” “Cashmere Ideas” and “Coming of Age.” In 2001, he scored one other hit with producing Mariah Carey’s “Loverboy,” from 2001’s Glitter, her function movie debut.
All through the years, Kent has additionally collaborated with artists like Queen Latifah, Ye, Redman, 50 Cent, Estelle, Slick Rick and Mona Lisa. He was an avid sneakerhead, gathering an estimated 3,500 pairs of footwear and collaborating with manufacturers like Nike, Adidas and New Steadiness.
Fellow artists mourned the prolific producer’s demise on-line, together with Grammy-winning Roots musician Questlove, who commented on Kent’s web page, “Clark will endlessly be the tradition.” Cunning Brown, notable rapper and Kent’s cousin, wrote, “LOVE YOU KESH! MY BIG COUSIN WHO STARTED ALL THIS SH– FOR US! WE LOVE YOU TONY!”
Kent is the topic of a forthcoming documentary from Angie Martinez, a fixture in New York Metropolis hip-hop radio for many years and longtime pal of his. In a Trendy Luxurious interview launched earlier this month, the Radio Corridor of Famer stated of Kent, “It’s my real perception that his story deserves to be informed with love and care. And the factor that I really like about him a lot is that he’s such a purist. The person has operated by means of 4 many years, 4 completely different eras of the tradition, and at a excessive degree. However he’s at all times operated with a lot authenticity and objective. Our tradition has grow to be this very transactional expertise for individuals. Positive, he’s a terrific businessman, however he’s actually pushed by artwork and tradition. And there’s not that many tales which might be rooted in that anymore. His DNA is splattered all through the tradition in a means that deserves to be explored, not only for the aim of telling his story, however for the aim of studying and ensuring that we’re all working in a means that preserves the tradition so honorably.”
