DJ Clark Kent, a legendary figure in hip-hop production known for his work with iconic artists, has passed away at the age of 58. His family announced his death in a heartfelt statement on Instagram, revealing that he died on Thursday evening, surrounded by his wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah, and son Antonio. The statement highlighted his courageous three-year battle with colon cancer, during which he continued to share his talent with the world. The family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support and requested privacy as they cope with their loss.
Following the news of his passing, tributes flooded in from the hip-hop community. Producer Pete Rock shared his memories of Clark Kent in an emotional social media post, reflecting on their long friendship and the significant impact Kent had on his career. Rock recalled how he would travel to Brooklyn to practice and DJ with Kent, thanking him for his mentorship and the special moments they shared.
Clark Kent began his musical journey in the late 1980s in New York clubs. His major break came in 1995 when he produced Junior M.A.F.I.A. and The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Player’s Anthem,” which made it to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured Lil’ Kim. He also had a longstanding collaboration with Jay-Z, producing tracks on Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, including “Brooklyn’s Finest” featuring Biggie Smalls.
DJ Scratch, another renowned artist who had a 48-year friendship with Kent, described him as one of the “most uniquely multi-accomplished persons in hip-hop culture.” Scratch honored Kent’s vast contributions, which included being a tour DJ for Dana Dane, a record executive, and a sneaker designer for Nike, stating that this was all achieved before the year 2000. He expressed the immense loss that Kent’s passing represents for both the culture and personally, as he considered Kent his oldest friend.