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The 45 King

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The 45 King
James in 2015
James in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMark Howard James
Born(1959-10-16)October 16, 1959[1]
OriginThe Bronx, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 19, 2023(2023-10-19) (aged 64)
East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.[2]
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • disc jockey
Years active1982–2023
Labels
Formerly ofFlavor Unit

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

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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

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]
  • 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

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  1. ^ "45 King". Twitter.com.
  2. ^ "Advanced Search". IMDb.com.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 208. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ Ettleson, Robbie (August 6, 2015). "The Original Flavor Unit: An Oral History". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 273. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. ^ "D.J. Kool: Let Me Clear My Throat Story". April 30, 2015 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Hip Hop Luminary: DJ Mark The 45 King's Impact On The Culture". Hiphopgoldenage.com. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Price, Joe (October 19, 2023). "DJ Mark the 45 King Reportedly Dead at 62". Complex.com. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "Chill Rob G – Empires Crumble (2022, CDr)". Discogs.com.
  12. ^ "Ghostface Killah (Ft. AZ) – Blood on the Streets". Genius.com.
  13. ^ "Fatlip – The Loneliest Punk (2017, Cassette)". Discogs.com.
  14. ^ "Diamond D – The Diamond Mine (2015, File)". Discogs.com.
  15. ^ "King Gordy – Nobody Hates Nothin'". Genius.com.
  16. ^ "Biz Markie (Ft. Lil' Kal) – Turn Back the Hands of Time". Genius.com.
  17. ^ "discogs". Discogs.
  18. ^ "discogs". Discogs.
  19. ^ "Various - What's The Worst That Could Happen? Soundtrack | Releases". Discogs.com.
  20. ^ "Dyme – Ladies Are U Wit Me". Genius.com.
  21. ^ "discogs". Discogs.
  22. ^ "Doctor Dre & Ed Lover (Ft. King Just, The Notorious B.I.G. & Todd One) – Who's the Man". Genius.com.
  23. ^ "Def Jef – Don't Sleep (Open Your Eyes) "Theme For The 90's"". Genius.com.
  24. ^ "MC Lyte – Act Like You Know (1991, Cassette)". Discogs.com.
  25. ^ "discogs". Discogs.
  26. ^ "Set It Off by Big Daddy Kane - Samples, Covers and Remixes". Whosampled.com.
  27. ^ "The 45 King – Westbound Beats (2023, Box Set, Vinyl)". Discogs.com.
  28. ^ "K-Def & The 45 King - Back To The Beat Vol. 2 | Releases". Discogs.com.
  29. ^ "K-Def & The 45 King - Back To The Beat | Releases". Discogs.com.
  30. ^ "45 King Featuring Wale, Pase Rock, 4th Pyramid – Scion A/V Remix Project (2008, CD)". Discogs.com.
  31. ^ "The 45 King – The Cat Jams (2005, Vinyl)". Discogs.com.
  32. ^ "The 45 King Presents The Flavor Unit - The Flavor Unit | Releases". Discogs.com.
  33. ^ "The 45 King - The 900 Number EP | Releases". Discogs.com.
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