Obituary: DJ Clark Kent (Antonio Franklin)

Antonio Franklin, affectionately known in the music world as DJ Clark Kent, passed away on Thursday at his residence in Greenbrook, a township located in northern New Jersey. He was 58 years old. The cause of his death was colon cancer, as confirmed by his wife, Kesha (Vernon) Franklin.

DJ Clark Kent’s illustrious career paralleled the remarkable evolution of hip-hop itself. He emerged onto the vibrant scene of New York City during the formative years of the genre in the 1980s and reached the pinnacle of fame alongside rap’s rise to prominence in the mid-90s. After honing his skills as a club DJ for several years, he transitioned into music production, securing positions at prestigious labels such as Atlantic Records and Motown.

In 1995, he produced a seminal rap track that would solidify his status in the industry: “Player’s Anthem” by Junior M.A.F.I.A. This group was formed by the legendary Notorious B.I.G., who also lent his voice to the track. The song not only became a breakout hit for the group but also served as Lil’ Kim’s introduction to the global hip-hop audience, showcasing her undeniable talent.

Following this success, in 1996, Mr. Franklin produced multiple songs for Jay-Z’s groundbreaking debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” Among his most significant contributions was the track “Brooklyn’s Finest,” where he provided the vocals for the catchy hook. Demonstrating his keen eye for collaboration, he suggested to Jay-Z and his manager, Damon Dash, that they feature Notorious B.I.G. on the track. Though initially hesitant, they ultimately agreed — unaware that Mr. Franklin had already invited Notorious B.I.G. to join them, waiting patiently downstairs. The result was a legendary collaboration that would become iconic in hip-hop history.

This kind of behind-the-scenes magic was typical for Mr. Franklin. In 1998, he discovered a young artist named Shyne freestyling in a local barbershop and promptly introduced him to Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, who was so impressed that he signed Shyne to a record deal on the spot.

Reflecting on his extensive network and influence in the industry, Mr. Franklin once shared with the pop culture publication Complex: “I practically knew every rapper before they made their records. They wanted to be familiar with the D.J.s and what was happening in hip-hop. I was happening in hip-hop.”