The 45 King had a net worth estimated between $12 million and $17 million. King’s real name is Mark Howard James. He 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.
The 45 King biography
The 45 King rose to prominence in 1987 with his breakbeat track “The 900 Number,” which featured a captivating loop of a baritone sax solo from Marva Whitney’s “Unwind Yourself” (1968). This iconic song, released under Tuff City Records, marked the beginning of his successful career.
Renowned for his production skills, “The 900 Number” remains his most notable work, having been resampled by numerous artists. In addition to his solo endeavours, the 45 King played a pivotal role in supporting his crew, known as the Flavor Unit. This collective included esteemed hip-hop acts such as Chill Rob G, Lakim Shabazz, Apache, and Queen Latifah. Leveraging his growing popularity, the 45 King assisted Queen Latifah in securing a record deal with Tommy Boy Records in 1989.
He played a significant role in producing her album “All Hail the Queen,” which received critical acclaim for his exceptional production work. Subsequently, other Flavor Unit members also signed with Tommy Boy, and the 45 King continued to contribute his productions to their albums. Despite his success, the 45 King faced personal challenges in the early 1990s due to drug addiction, resulting in the loss of a production deal with Warner Bros. Records. However, during this period, he released several series of breakbeat records, including the Lost Breakbeat series and the Breakapalooza series.
Notably, he also remixed Madonna’s Top-10 single “Keep It Together.” Although he primarily focused on his breakbeat record franchises, his talent and influence remained evident. In July 1990, DJ Chad Jackson, hailing from Manchester, sampled “The 900 Number” in his single “Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked),” which achieved significant success, reaching #3 in the UK Singles Chart.
Interestingly, Jackson was unaware that the song had already been sampled from the original “Unwind Yourself.” He credited himself and the 45 King as co-writers, further solidifying the impact of the 45 King’s work. Despite facing personal setbacks, the 45 King’s contributions to the hip-hop industry and his signature track “The 900 Number” continue to resonate. His talent as a producer and his ability to support and elevate fellow artists within the Flavor Unit showcase his lasting impact on the genre.
Jay-Z recorded “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” in 1998 with the help of 45 King. The hit song had a chorus that was repeated from the Broadway show Annie’s original cast recording. In an interview, Jay-Z also discussed the significance of the 45 King to hip-hop music and how he saw him as a genuine industry pioneer. He produced Eminem’s platinum-certified song “Stan” in 2000.
The 45 King death: How did he die?
The 45 King died on October 19, 2023. The cause of death has not been established yet. In 2014, after recovering from a heart attack, King posted a video to his YouTube channel where he discussed his legacy. “I like to be liked for my personality and my sense of humor, in honesty, instead of my beats,” he said. “But people just like you for your art sometimes when it’s hot. I never said that my music was good. I’m just so glad enough people like my art where I can pay the bills.”
What was The 45 King net worth?
The 45 King’s reported net worth ranged from $13 million to $17 million. Mark Howard James is King’s true name. He was a New Yorker from The Bronx who produced and DJed hip-hop. Starting in the mid-1980s, he was a DJ. The 45 King, his alias, originated from his knack for producing rhythms utilizing rare 45 RPM records.
