ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – There is a good chance you’ve heard the song “Walk It Out.”

“He set the world on fire with it,” said F’ard Shahid, close friend and co-writer.

“When you play that song anywhere, you’re going to get up and dance,” said Rudolph Robinson, close friend.

Anthony Platt, better known as DJ Unk, passed away Friday at the age of 43, shocking his family, friends, and fans.

“It’s been very emotional. The last 24 hours I’ve been trying to stay busy,” said Robinson.

Shahid and Robinson were standing next to Platt before he became a star. Shahid helped write his hit “Two Step.”

“They were just trying to get a comeback to walk it out, they were just trying to keep that momentum going,” said Shahid.

Platt’s record label revealed the devastating news Friday, asking everyone to keep his family in thoughts and prayers.

DJ Unk rose to fame during an era where snap dance music in hip hop was popular.

“It was like what was going on at the time. It was like a westside thing. Everybody was coming out with their different versions, that was his version,” said Shahid.

To this day, his friends say his legacy lives on.

“That was like one of the best times of our life. All the work, dedication we put in to Big Oomp Records and we finally get a hit,” said Robinson.

His friends said he not only made a huge impact on Atlanta, but the loss will be felt around the globe.

“I’ve traveled to some of those places around the world with him, and they knew those songs,” said Shahid.

A cause of death has not yet been released.

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Unk, the Atlanta rapper known for the hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” has died, according to social media posts from his wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, and one of his former labels, Big Oomp Records. A cause of death was not provided. Unk was 43 years old.

Unk, or DJ Unk, was born Anthony Leonard Platt in Atlanta, Georgia. He broke out, in the early 2000s, as part of his city’s snap music scene. His first hit, “Walk It Out,” stood alongside other totemic snap and crunk tracks like “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” Lil Jon’s “Get Low,” Yung Joc’s “It’s Goin’ Down,” and D4L’s “Laffy Taffy.”

“Walk It Out” and follow-up single “2 Step” both featured on Unk’s debut album, 2006’s Beat’n Down Yo Block! Both tracks got all-star remixes, too, with Jim Jones and Outkast’s André 3000 and Big Boi hopping on “Walk It Out (Remix),” and Jones, T-Pain, and E-40 featuring on “2 Step (Remix).”

Unk released just one more major album in his lifetime, 2008’s 2econd Season. Project Pat, Ray J, Ying Yang Twins, Sean Kingston, and more featured on the album, and it performed well commercially. It did not, however, have the same cultural impact as Unk’s debut, with its single “Show Out” not reaching the heights of “Walk It Out” or “2 Step.”

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

“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,” Big Oomp Records shared. “Hit songs such as ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’ have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire artists, DJs, and fans alike for years to come. His energy, creativity, and commitment to the craft will never be forgotten.”

Posted January 24, 2025 11:34pm EST