October 26, 2024
DJ Clark Kent, a superproducer who helped create hits for artists like Mariah Carey and The Notorious B.I.G., fought a three-year battle with colon cancer.
DJ Clark Kent, a superproducer who helped create hits for artists like Mariah Carey and The Notorious B.I.G., has died at the age of 58 following a three-year battle with colon cancer.
According to Deadline, Kent’s family said in a statement released on social media that Kent, whose real name is Rodolfo Franklin, died surrounded by his family members and loved ones on Oct. 24.
RIP CLARK KENT 1967-2024 šŸŒ¹
ā€œGodā€™s Favorite DJā€ pic.twitter.com/rK4rSjPD5F
Today, we honor the life and legacy of DJ Clark Kent, a true luminary in the world of Hip Hop. With a career spanning over five decades, Clark Kent was not just a DJ, but a visionary, a producer, and a cultural ambassador who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Hip Hop pic.twitter.com/SM5XknMghF
Per the statement, ā€œIt is with deep sadness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent.ā€
The statement continued, ā€œClark 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 everyoneā€™s love, support and prayers during this time and ask for privacy as they process this immense loss.ā€
Kent began his career in the 1980s and was introduced to the world as a DJ for Dana Dane on Dane’s 1987 debut album, “Dana Dane With Fame.”
Kent went on to produce records for Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Slick Rick, Rakim, among others.
Kent is also the cousin of the iconic ’90s-era rapper Foxy Brown, who left a comment underneath the post from to family on Clark’s Instagram account.
ā€œLOVE YOU KESH! MY BIG COUSIN WHO STARTED ALL THIS SHā€“ FOR US! WE LOVE YOU TONY!ā€ Brown wrote.
Kent is the subject of the forthcoming documentary God’s Favorite DJ: The Story Of DJ Clark Kent directed by radio personality Angie Martinez, a close friend of Kent.
Before Kent passed, Martinez told Modern Luxury, ā€œItā€™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 heā€™s such a purist. The man has operated through four decades, four different eras of the culture, and at a high level. But heā€™s always operated with so much authenticity and purpose. Our culture has become this very transactional experience for people.ā€
Martinez continued, ā€œSure, heā€™s a great businessman, but heā€™s really driven by art and culture. And thereā€™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.ā€
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project met Kent’s approval.
ā€œIā€™m honored to have Angie Martinez directing. Her entire career has been rooted in telling stories in a beautiful & meaningful way. Angie is a true icon of Hip Hop and we are very lucky to have her guiding this project,ā€ Kent said in a statement.
Kent is survived by his wife, Kesha; his daughter, Kabriah; and his son, Antonio; as well as a host of family members and the larger Hip-Hop community.
RELATED CONTENT: Leading Culture Influencers Team Up to Help Prevent Colon Cancer








Enter your Email Address below to get our fun-filled Newsletter!
Ā© 2024 Black Enterprise. All Rights Reserved.

source