The 45 King
American hip hop producer and DJ (1959–2023)
Musical artist
Mark Howard James (October 16, 1961 – October 19, 2023), professionally known as The 45 King and also known as DJ Mark the 45 King ,[ 3] was an American hip hop producer and DJ from The Bronx , New York. He began DJing in the mid-1980s. His pseudonym, the 45 King, came from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records .
Life and career
In November 1989, the re-release of "The King is Here" / "The 900 Number" peaked at #60 in the UK Singles Chart , his only appearance in a UK chart .[ 4]
In the early 1990s, drug addiction caused him to lose a production deal that he signed with Warner Bros. Records .[ 5]
In July 1990, Manchester-born DJ Chad Jackson sampled "The 900 Number" on his single "Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked) ", which reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart .[ 6]
In 1996, Washington, D.C.–based go-go artist DJ Kool had a hit with the song "Let Me Clear My Throat ". It was call-and-response vocals over a chopped half of the "900 Number" beat. DJ Kool did not just sample the track: he also acknowledged James as the song's originator.[ 7]
In 1998, James produced "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) " for Jay-Z . The song was a hit and featured a looped chorus from the original cast album of the Broadway musical Annie . In an interview, Jay-Z spoke on James' importance to hip hop and called him a true pioneer of the business.[ 8]
Following the success of Hard Knock Life, James heard the Dido song "Thank You " in the 1998 film Sliding Doors . He looped the sample and added a bassline, then sent the result to Interscope Records . The recording was later used for the Eminem song "Stan ", as the rapper interpreted Dido's lyrics as being about stalking.[ 9]
James died on October 19, 2023, at the age of 62.[ 10]
Selected production credits
Chill Rob G – F.U. (Rockin Wit The Best) (featuring Double J, God Lakim, The 45 King) – SpitSLAM Record Label Group, 2022[ 11]
Ghostface Killah – Blood in the Streets (featuring AZ) – Tommy Boy, 2014[ 12]
Fatlip – The Bass Line |\| I Got the Shit |\| M.I.A. – Delicious Vinyl, 2005[ 13]
Diamond D – U Don't Owe Me – Dymond Mine Records, 2005[ 14]
King Gordy – Nobody Hates Nothin' - Web Entertainment, 2003[ 15]
Biz Markie – Turn Back the Hands of Time – Tommy Boy, 2003[ 16]
Princess Superstar - Bad Babysitter (Remix) - Rapster Records, 2002[ 17]
Celph Titled – Right Now – Bronx Science Recordings, 2001[ 18]
Craig Mack – The Wooden Horse – NY.LA Music, 2001[ 19]
Dyme – Ladies Are U Wit Me – Interscope Records, 2001[ 20]
Paula Perry – Y'all Chickens Make Me Laugh – Fully-Blown Recordings, 2000
Chill Rob G – Let Me Know (45 Remix) – Echo International, 2000
Big Scoob – Can Du – White Label, 2000
Eminem – Stan – Aftermath/Interscope/Universal, 2000
Rakim – How I Get Down – Universal Records, 1999
Common Sense – Car Horn – Groove Attack, 1999
Peanut Butter Wolf – Run the Line (Remix) – Stones Throw, 1998
Jay-Z – "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) – Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Universal, 1998
Fanclub Erdberg – Anton Polster Du Bist Leiwand – Mego, 1997
Bush Babees – The Love Song (King Remix) – Kenar, 1997[ 21]
Queen Latifah – Name Callin' – Tommy Boy/Warner Bros., 1996
Maniac Mob – Get Up – Arista, 1995
C&C Music Factory – Do You Wanna Get Funky? (Remix) – Columbia/SME, 1994
Ed Lover & Doctor Dré – Who's the Man – Relativity, 1994[ 22]
PMD – Thought I Lost My Spot – RCA/BMG, 1994
Class A Felony – Hyped Up |\| Hostage |\| Gotta Go, Gotta Go – Polygram, 1993
Diamond D – Best Kept Secret (Remix) |\| Check 1, 2 – Chemistry/Mercury/PolyGram, 1992
Apache – Do Fa Self – Tommy Boy/Warner Bros., 1992
Jaz-O – Sign of the Crimes – EMI America, 1991
Def Jef – Soul Provider |\| Don't Sleep (Open Your Eyes) – Delicious Vinyl, 1991[ 23]
MC Lyte – Big Bad Sister |\| Kamikaze |\| Like a Virgin |\| Absolutely Positively...Practical Jokes – First Priority Music/Atlantic, 1991[ 24]
Lisa Stansfield – "All Around the World " (Remix) – Arista/BMG, 1990
Madonna – "Keep it Together " (Remix) – Sire/Warner Bros., 1990
David Bowie – "Fame" (90 Remix) [feat. Queen Latifah] – EMI USA, 1990[ 25]
Maestro Fresh Wes – Drop the Needle (Remix) – LMR/RCA Records, 1990
Lakim Shabazz – Lost Tribe of Shabazz – Tuff City, 1990
Eric B. & Rakim – "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em " (Remix) – MCA, 1990
Digital Underground – Packet Man (Remix) – Tommy Boy/Warner Bros., 1990
Shelly Thunder - Working Girl (Remix) - Mango, 1990
Queen Latifah – Come Into My House (Mark 45 King Mix) – Tommy Boy/Warner Bros., 1990
Markey Fresh – The Mack of Rap – Jive/RCA, 1989
X-Clan – Heed the Word of the Brother – 4th & B'Way/Island/PolyGram, 1989
Eric B. & Rakim – "Microphone Fiend " (Remix) – MCA, 1989
Salt-N-Pepa – My Mic Sounds Nice (Remix) – Next Plateau/London/PolyGram, 1989
Lord Alibaski – Lyrics in Motion |\| Top Gun – Tuff City, 1989
King Sun – Fat Tape |\| It's a Heat Up – Zakia/Profile, 1989
Chill Rob G – Ride the Rhythm – Wild Pitch/EMI, 1989
Queen Latifah – All Hail the Queen – Tommy Boy/Warner Bros., 1989
Too Nice – Cold Facts (Remix) – Arista/BMG, 1989
Double J – Bless the Funk – 4th & B'Way/Island/PolyGram, 1989
Big Daddy Kane – Set It Off – Cold Chillin', 1988[ 26]
Chill Rob G – Chillin' – Wild Pitch/EMI, 1988
Lakim Shabazz – Pure Righteousness – Tuff City, 1988
Gang Starr – Movin' On |\| Gusto |\| Knowledge – Wild Pitch/EMI, 1988
Latee – No Tricks |\| Wake Up – Wild Pitch/EMI, 1988
Gang Starr – Believe Dat! |\| Bust a Move Boy |\| To Be a Champion – Wild Pitch/EMI, 1987
Latee – This Cut's Got Flavor |\| Puttin' on the Hits – Wild Pitch/EMI, 1987
Discography
Westbound Beats[ 27] – Westbound Records, 2023
Back To The Beat Vol. 2[ 28] – Redefinition Records, 2015
Back To The Beat[ 29] – Redefinition Records, 2014
Scion A/V Remix Project[ 30] – Scion Audio/Visual, 2008
The Cat Jams[ 31] – Tuff City, 2005
Beats of the Month – Bronx Science, 2000/2001 (November, December, January, February, March, April, May volumes of "Lost Breakbeat" style beats)
Beats for the New Millennium, Vol 1 & 2 – 45 King Records, 2000
Put the Funk Out There – Rock-A-Fella, 1999
Universal Beat Generation, Vol 1-3 – Ultimate Dilemma, 1998 (European label "The Lost Breakbeats" re-release)
Breakapalooza Vol 1 & 2 – Tuff City, 1997
Champain – Tuff City, 1997
Beats Don't Fail Me Now (12" Single) – CLR Records, 1997
Breakamania, Vol 1-3 – Real Tuff Breaks, 1997
Grooves for a Quiet Storm – Tuff City, 1996
Killer Beets, Vol 1-3 – Music Station, 1996
Real Tuff Jazz – Tuff City, 1995
Zig-a-Ziggin ZZ – Tuff City, 1995
Straight Outta Da Crate, Vol 1-5 – Tuff City, 1993
The Lost Breakbeats – 45 King Records, 1993–1996
45 Kingdom – Tuff City, 1990
Rhythmical Madness (with DJ Louie Louie) – Tuff City, 1990
On A Mission (from "One Voice: Pride") – Ruffhouse, 1990
The 45 King Presents: The Flavor Unit – Tuff City, 1990[ 32]
Master of the Game – Tuff City, 1989
The King is Here (with Markey Fresh) (12" Single) – Tuff City, 1989
Red, Black, and Green (with Lakim Shabazz) (12" Single) – Tuff City, 1989
When a Wise Man Speaks/Catching a 'Tude/Rocking With Tony H (12" Single) – Tuff City, 1989
The 900 Number EP – Tuff City, 1987[ 33]
Funky Beats '84 – 45 King, 1984
Just Beats – 45 King, 1987
References
^ "Advanced Search" . IMDb.com .
^ "The 45 king addressing his stage name" . The 45 King's official YouTube channel . January 31, 2014. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021.
^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 208. ISBN 1-904994-10-5 .
^ Ettleson, Robbie (August 6, 2015). "The Original Flavor Unit: An Oral History" . Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved October 27, 2023 .
^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 273. ISBN 1-904994-10-5 .
^ "D.J. Kool: Let Me Clear My Throat Story" . April 30, 2015 – via YouTube .
^ "Hip Hop Luminary: DJ Mark The 45 King's Impact On The Culture" . Hiphopgoldenage.com . October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023 .
^ Power, Ed (May 22, 2000). "The Stan effect: did Eminem's song about a crazed fan just make fans crazier?" . The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved October 22, 2023 .
^ Price, Joe (October 19, 2023). "DJ Mark the 45 King Reportedly Dead at 62" . Complex.com . Retrieved October 19, 2023 .
^ "Chill Rob G – Empires Crumble (2022, CDr)" . Discogs.com .
^ "Ghostface Killah (Ft. AZ) – Blood on the Streets" . Genius.com .
^ "Fatlip – The Loneliest Punk (2017, Cassette)" . Discogs.com .
^ "Diamond D – The Diamond Mine (2015, File)" . Discogs.com .
^ "King Gordy – Nobody Hates Nothin' " . Genius.com .
^ "Biz Markie (Ft. Lil' Kal) – Turn Back the Hands of Time" . Genius.com .
^ "discogs" . Discogs .
^ "discogs" . Discogs .
^ "Various - What's The Worst That Could Happen? Soundtrack | Releases" . Discogs.com .
^ "Dyme – Ladies Are U Wit Me" . Genius.com .
^ "discogs" . Discogs .
^ "Doctor Dre & Ed Lover (Ft. King Just, The Notorious B.I.G. & Todd One) – Who's the Man" . Genius.com .
^ "Def Jef – Don't Sleep (Open Your Eyes) "Theme For The 90's" " . Genius.com .
^ "MC Lyte – Act Like You Know (1991, Cassette)" . Discogs.com .
^ "discogs" . Discogs .
^ "Set It Off by Big Daddy Kane - Samples, Covers and Remixes" . Whosampled.com .
^ "The 45 King – Westbound Beats (2023, Box Set, Vinyl)" . Discogs.com .
^ "K-Def & The 45 King - Back To The Beat Vol. 2 | Releases" . Discogs.com .
^ "K-Def & The 45 King - Back To The Beat | Releases" . Discogs.com .
^ "45 King Featuring Wale, Pase Rock, 4th Pyramid – Scion A/V Remix Project (2008, CD)" . Discogs.com .
^ "The 45 King – The Cat Jams (2005, Vinyl)" . Discogs.com .
^ "The 45 King Presents The Flavor Unit - The Flavor Unit | Releases" . Discogs.com .
^ "The 45 King - The 900 Number EP | Releases" . Discogs.com .
External links
International National Artists