The 45 King Explained

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

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

• 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 – 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

• 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

External links

• Official website
  • • The Unkut Interview

Notes and References

1. Web site: 45 King. Twitter.com.
2. Web site: Advanced Search. IMDb.com.
3. Web site: The 45 king addressing his stage name. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/oGsyuKKlPxU . December 13, 2021 . live. The 45 King's official YouTube channel. January 31, 2014 .
4. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited. London. 1-904994-10-5. 208.
5. News: Ettleson . Robbie . The Original Flavor Unit: An Oral History . 27 October 2023 . Red Bull Music Academy . August 6, 2015.
6. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited. London. 1-904994-10-5. 273.
7. Web site: D.J. Kool: Let Me Clear My Throat Story. April 30, 2015 . YouTube.
8. News: Hip Hop Luminary: DJ Mark The 45 King's Impact On The Culture . Hiphopgoldenage.com . October 28, 2023 . October 20, 2023.
9. News: Power . Ed . The Stan effect: did Eminem's song about a crazed fan just make fans crazier? . October 22, 2023 . . May 22, 2000.
10. News: Price . Joe . DJ Mark the 45 King Reportedly Dead at 62 . 19 October 2023 . Complex.com . 19 October 2023.
11. Web site: Chill Rob G – Empires Crumble (2022, CDr). Discogs.com.
12. Web site: Ghostface Killah (Ft. AZ) – Blood on the Streets. Genius.com.
13. Web site: Fatlip – The Loneliest Punk (2017, Cassette) . Discogs.com.
14. Web site: Diamond D – The Diamond Mine (2015, File). Discogs.com.
15. Web site: King Gordy – Nobody Hates Nothin'. Genius.com.
16. Web site: Biz Markie (Ft. Lil' Kal) – Turn Back the Hands of Time. Genius.com.
17. Web site: discogs . .
18. Web site: discogs . .
19. Web site: Various - What's The Worst That Could Happen? Soundtrack | Releases. Discogs.com.
20. Web site: Dyme – Ladies Are U Wit Me. Genius.com.
21. Web site: discogs . .
22. Web site: Doctor Dre & Ed Lover (Ft. King Just, The Notorious B.I.G. & Todd One) – Who's the Man. Genius.com.
23. Web site: Def Jef – Don't Sleep (Open Your Eyes) "Theme For The 90's". Genius.com.
24. Web site: MC Lyte – Act Like You Know (1991, Cassette). Discogs.com.
25. Web site: discogs . .
26. Web site: Set It Off by Big Daddy Kane - Samples, Covers and Remixes . Whosampled.com.
27. Web site: The 45 King – Westbound Beats (2023, Box Set, Vinyl). Discogs.com.
28. Web site: K-Def & The 45 King - Back To The Beat Vol. 2 | Releases. Discogs.com.
29. Web site: K-Def & The 45 King - Back To The Beat | Releases. Discogs.com.
30. Web site: 45 King Featuring Wale, Pase Rock, 4th Pyramid – Scion A/V Remix Project (2008, CD) . Discogs.com.
31. Web site: The 45 King – The Cat Jams (2005, Vinyl). Discogs.com.
32. Web site: The 45 King Presents The Flavor Unit - The Flavor Unit | Releases. Discogs.com.
33. Web site: The 45 King - The 900 Number EP | Releases . Discogs.com.