Eminem reacts to DJ Mark The 45 King’s passing Posted on October 20, 2023 By Remy Gelenidze DJ Mark The 45 King also know as The 45 King, an iconic hip-hop producer from New York City who collaborated with Jay-Z, Eminem, and Queen Latifah, passed away on Thursday. He was 62. Advertisement Born Mark Howard James, he took the moniker The 45 King because of his fondness for sampling old, obscure records. His death was announced on social media Thursday afternoon by a fellow hip-hop producer, DJ Premier. Advertisement Information on the cause or place of death were not immediately available. An inquiry sent to James’s manager was not immediately returned.“His sound was unlike any other from his heavy drums and his horns were so distinct on every production,” DJ Premier wrote, referring to James as DJ Mark The 45 King. Advertisement The 45 King is the man who produced arguably the greatest storytelling hip-hop song in history, Eminem’s “Stan” from his 2000 classic album, The Marshall Mathers LP.Slim Shady took to X to honor the legendary producer by sharing a video of The 45 King talking about producing “Stan.” In the caption, Em wrote: “Legends are never over. #RIP Mark Howard James aka The 45 King … I’m 4ever grateful!!!” Advertisement Check the tweet below:Legends are never over. #RIP Mark Howard James aka The 45 King … I’m 4ever grateful!!! https://t.co/s4ywAw6r03— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) October 19, 2023 Advertisement RECENT RELATED ARTICLESJessie Reyez Explains How Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Got Them in the StudioJune 22, 2026Benny Blanco Names Eminem & Lil Wayne on His GOAT Rapper ShortlistJune 22, 2026Kid Rock Talks on Eminem’s Political Views in New Interview with Trick TrickJune 22, 2026Bebe Rexha Shares Origin of Eminem’s “The Monster” & Their Coachella ConnectionJune 21, 2026Westside Boogie Lands in Detroit to Play New Album for EminemJune 21, 2026Stat Quo Recalls Paul Rosenberg’s Angry Reaction to Playing Unreleased Eminem & Dr. Dre SongJune 20, 2026 DJ Mark The 45Eminem