‘Walk It Out’ rapper DJ Unk has died, aged 42

DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper remembered for his ‘00s hits ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’, has died at the age of 42.

The news was confirmed by his wife Sherkita Long-Platt on social media on Friday (January 24), although no cause of death has yet been confirmed.

“Please respect me and my family,” Long-Platt wrote on Facebook. “I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.”

The artist, real name Anthony Leonard Platt, began his career as a teenager in Atlanta in 1998 as part of the Southern Style DJs crew, before signing with Big Oomp Records where he broke out as a solo artist.

RIP to DJ Unk, the “Walk It Out” creator has sadly passed away at 42, confirmed by his family in several emotional IG posts. #RIP pic.twitter.com/0BNm5NbFur

— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) January 24, 2025

Considered a key figure in snap music, a subgenre of crunk, he scored major hits in 2006 with ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’, the former reaching the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawning a remix featuring Andre 3000. Both songs were included on Unk’s debut album ‘Beat’n Down Yo Block!’ in the same year, which included features from the likes of Baby Dand Jazze Pha.

His second studio album ‘2econd Season’ was released in 2008, before he suffered a heart attack in 2009, something he attributed to “not exercising and not eating right”. His output reduced after the health scare, although he did release the album ‘Fresh Off Dem Papers’ in 2017.

A representative from Big Oomp Records has paid tribute to Unk: “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of a true ATL legend, Anthony Platt better known as ‘DJ Unk’.”

“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.”

Unk’s final major appearance was at the 2023 BET Awards, where he performed ‘Walk It Out’ as part of a medley that also included Soulja Boy and F.L.Y.