DJ Clark Kent, Known for Songs with JAY-Z and Mariah Carey, Dies at 58: ‘One of Brooklyn's Finest Producers Ever’

Mar. 15, 2025

DJ Clark Kent.Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty

Jesse Grant/Getty

DJ Clark Kent, the hip-hop producer known for work with fellow New York greatsJAY-ZandThe Notorious B.I.G., has died at age 58.

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.

DJ Clark Kent in May 2024.Johnny Nunez/Getty

Johnny Nunez/Getty

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.

Over the past three decades, Kent has also collaborated withRakim, Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Kanye West,Rick RossandMariah Carey, with whom he earned his highest-charting single, 2001’s “Loverboy,” which hit No. 2 on the Hot 100.

DJ Clark Kent and Jay-Z in 2008.Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Several of Kent’s collaborators and friends reflected on his legacy in the comment section of his death announcement, includingQuestlove, Killer Mike, Pete Rock,Lil Yachty, Fabolous, Jim Jones, MC Lyte, Raekwon, Foxy Brown, DJ Premier,Meek Milland 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.

source: people.com