Hip-Hop Producer Of Jay-Z And Mariah Carey Was 58

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 disappointment that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, identified to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the Instagram submit learn. “Clark handed away Thursday night surrounded by his devoted spouse Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio. Clark quietly and valiantly fought a 3 yr battle with Colon Most cancers, whereas persevering with to share his presents 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 trade in Eighties Brooklyn, as a DJ for rapper Dana Dane. In 1995, the Panamanian American producer scored a significant 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 yr, Kent was instrumental to the manufacturing of Jay-Z’s debut album Cheap 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.

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All through the years, Kent additionally collaborated with artists like Queen Latifah, Ye, Redman, 50 Cent, Estelle, Slick Rick and Mona Lisa. He was an avid sneakerhead, amassing an estimated 3,500 pairs of sneakers and collaborating with manufacturers like Nike, Adidas and New Stability.

Fellow artists mourned the prolific producer’s dying on-line, together with Grammy-winning Roots musician Questlove, who commented on Kent’s web page, “Clark will without end 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 buddy of his. In a Fashionable 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 via 4 a long time, 4 totally different eras of the tradition, and at a excessive degree. However he’s at all times operated with a lot authenticity and goal. Our tradition has turn out to be this very transactional expertise for individuals. Certain, he’s a fantastic businessman, however he’s actually pushed by artwork and tradition. And there’s not that many tales which can be rooted in that anymore. His DNA is splattered all through the tradition in a manner 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 manner that preserves the tradition so honorably.”