Rapper DJ Unk, who was best known for the bouncy early-2000s crunk hit "Walk It Out," has died. The musician's wife Sherkita Long-Platt announced his death Friday morning on Facebook. "I just lost my husband and my kids lost their father,

The family of an Atlanta hip-hop pioneer who died on Friday revealed his cause of death. DJ Unk, whose real name was Anthony Leonard Platt, died in his sleep from a heart attack, his wife Sherkita Long-Platt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper best known for his hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” has died. He was 43. Born Anthony Leonard Platt, Unk passed away on Friday, according to a statement from Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson, who founded the record label Big Oomp Records, which signed Unk in 2000.

The rapper and DJ, who died over the weekend at 43, was the biggest hit for the indie label Big Oomp Records. Its brief but shining moment injected fun back into a scene in transition.

DJ Unk was not just a legendary DJ, rapper and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label and the imprint that he left globally will be cherished forever,” it continued. W

Sherkita Long-Platt, DJ Unk’s widow, confirmed on Friday (Jan. 24) that the rapper had died at the age of 43. In a heartfelt Facebook post, she wrote, “Please respect me and my family. I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER,” without disclosing the cause of death.

DJ Unk, the Atlanta-based rapper behind the hit single “Walk It Out,” died Friday, his wife Sherkita Long-Platt announced on Facebook. He was 43. “Please respect me and my family. I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER,” Long-Platt wrote. No cause of death was given.