DJ Clark Kent, a hip-hop superproducer who worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Mariah Carey and The Notorious B.I.G., has died at 58, his family announced on social media.
Per the statement, Kent (née Rodolfo Franklin) had been battling colon cancer for the past three years and died surrounded by his loved ones Thursday evening.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the Instagram post read. “Clark passed away Thursday evening surrounded by his devoted wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio. Clark quietly and valiantly fought a three year battle with Colon Cancer, while continuing to share his gifts with the world. The family is grateful for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this time and ask for privacy as they process this immense loss.”
Kent began his career in the music industry in 1980s Brooklyn, as a DJ for rapper Dana Dane. In 1995, the Panamanian American producer scored a major chart hit with Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s debut single off the group’s first album Conspiracy, “Player’s Anthem,” featuring Biggie Smalls and serving as Lil’ Kim’s introduction to the world. The next year, Kent was instrumental to the production of Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt, producing tracks “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “Cashmere Thoughts” and “Coming of Age.” In 2001, he scored another hit with producing Mariah Carey’s “Loverboy,” from 2001’s Glitter, her feature film debut.
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Throughout the years, Kent also collaborated with artists like Queen Latifah, Ye, Redman, 50 Cent, Estelle, Slick Rick and Mona Lisa. He was an avid sneakerhead, collecting an estimated 3,500 pairs of shoes and collaborating with brands like Nike, Adidas and New Balance.
Fellow artists mourned the prolific producer’s death online, including Grammy-winning Roots musician Questlove, who commented on Kent’s page, “Clark will forever be the culture.” Foxy 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 subject of a forthcoming documentary from Angie Martinez, a fixture in New York City hip-hop radio for decades and longtime friend of his. In a Modern Luxury interview released earlier this month, the Radio Hall of Famer said of Kent, “It’s my genuine belief that his story deserves to be told with love and care. And the thing that I love about him so much is that he’s such a purist. The man has operated through four decades, four different eras of the culture, and at a high level. But he’s always operated with so much authenticity and purpose. Our culture has become this very transactional experience for people. Sure, he’s a great businessman, but he’s really driven by art and culture. And there’s not that many stories that are rooted in that anymore. His DNA is splattered throughout the culture in a way that deserves to be explored, not just for the purpose of telling his story, but for the purpose of learning and making sure that we are all operating in a way that preserves the culture so honorably.”
