DJ Clark Kent, the hip-hop producer known for work with fellow New York greats JAY-Z and The Notorious B.I.G., has died at age 58.
Kent, born Rodolfo A. Franklin and known as “God’s Favorite DJ” to fans, died on Thursday, Oct. 24 after he “quietly and valiantly fought a three-year battle with colon cancer,” the super-producer’s family announced on Instagram the following day. He was surrounded by his wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio.
While privately living with cancer, Kent continued “to share his gifts with the world,” his family wrote. “The family is grateful for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this time and ask for privacy as they process this immense loss,” their statement read.
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Born in Panama, Kent’s earliest work included his time as a DJ for rapper Dana Dane in the 1980s, before he went on to find success working with Junior M.A.F.I.A. and the Notorious B.I.G. on “Player’s Anthem” in 1995 via the group’s debut album, Conspiracy. The song, which hit No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
From there, Kent left his mark by producing three songs off JAY-Z’s milestone debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996: “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “Coming of Age” and “Cashmere Thoughts.”
Over the past three decades, Kent has also collaborated with Rakim, Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Kanye West, Rick Ross and Mariah Carey, with whom he earned his highest-charting single, 2001’s “Loverboy,” which hit No. 2 on the Hot 100.
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Several of Kent’s collaborators and friends reflected on his legacy in the comment section of his death announcement, including Questlove, Killer Mike, Pete Rock, Lil Yachty, Fabolous, Jim Jones, MC Lyte, Raekwon, Foxy Brown, DJ Premier, Meek Mill and more.
“Clark will forever be the culture. 🙏🏾,” fellow Questlove commented.
Pete Rock, who wrote that he’s known Kent since he was 13, shared in a tribute that he would take the train “all the way to Brooklyn” just to practice DJing with him, writing that he was “the right person to be around if I wanted to sharpen my skills.”
“Thank you for all that you have taught me fam and the special memories,” he wrote. “But I am heartbroken fam but you accomplished so much then went off to be one of Brooklyn’s finest producers ever. Rest In Power champ. You just around me now in a different form angel. 🙏🏾💔 Respect 4ever Champ 😢😢😢😢😢😢.”
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MC Lyte referred to Kent as “the first man that believed in my voice,” while Raekwon called him a “legend.”
“God Bless Our Hero and Deepest Condolences 🙏🏾🕊️,” Killer Mike commented.
Tributes have continued to pour in on social media, including one from Brown, who is cousins with the legendary beatmaker. Brown called Kent “the one who started all this s— for us.”
“FOX, BIG, HOV….AINT’ A BROOKLYN ICON ALIVE THAT’s GON’ TELL YOU DIFFERENT! 🫡,” she wrote.
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