Credit: Stephen Poff

DJ Unk passed away on January 24th, and now his cause of death has been revealed. The Atlanta rapper (real name Anthony Leonard Platt) died in his sleep after suffering a heart attack. Unk’s wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, was aware of rumours going around about his death, refuting claims he died due to drugs as he didn’t take any.

The Atlanta rapper is best known for his 2006 hits ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’, which peaked at number ten and 24th on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. Both songs appeared on his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block! and were produced by DJ Montay. He dropped his second album, 2econd Season, in 2008, featuring Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Ray J, Sean Kingson and the Ying Yang Twins.

Sherkita confirmed his death on social media, asking fans to give their family the space to grieve. “Please respect me and my family,” she 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.” According to TMZ, a candlelight vigil took place in his Atlanta neighbourhood on January 26th.

A representative from his label Big Oomp Records, which has also worked with Flo Rida, T-Pain, Akon, Future and Migos, also issued a statement. “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,” the message read.

“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 previously suffered a heart attack in 2009 and was hospitalised, putting the incident down to “not exercising and not eating right.” He wrote on Twitter (now known as X) after the heart attack, “No more Kush, Purp, Piff, Haze, Sour desiel for me! No more drinks!

“Got to do this for my health! Live healthy! be healthy! Live unhealthy and suffer the concequences! [sic]. Keep god first and haters last! It’s not over till the fat lady sing.”