“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the statement read. “Clark passed away Thursday evening, surrounded by his loving wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah, and son Antonio.”The family acknowledged his private battle, stating: “Clark quietly and courageously fought a three-year battle with colon cancer while continuing to share his talents with the world. We appreciate the love, support, and prayers from everyone during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we process our loss.”Support poured in from friends, fans, and hip-hop peers across social media. Questlove honored the legendary DJ by writing: “Clark will forever be the culture,” while Raekwon added: “Awwww mannnnn. We gon’ miss this legend. Condolences to the loved ones.” Tributes also came from industry names like Jim Jones, Dave East, Mickey Factz, Laura Stylez, and Rob Markman.From Brooklyn’s Finest to a Global Legacy
DJ Clark Kent rose to prominence in the 1980s as a DJ before solidifying his legacy as a producer. His breakthrough came in 1995 with “Player’s Anthem” by Junior M.A.F.I.A. and The Notorious B.I.G., a hit that peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced the world to Lil' Kim.Clark Kent’s long-standing collaboration with Jay-Z produced several standout tracks from Jay’s classic debut album Reasonable Doubt (1996), including “Brooklyn’s Finest” featuring Biggie Smalls, “Coming of Age,” and “Cashmere Thoughts.” He played a significant role in New York's hip-hop history and also discovered Bad Boy artist-turned-politician Shyne in the late 1990s.In addition to his music achievements, Clark Kent shared a familial connection to rap royalty—he was a cousin of Foxy Brown. He also collaborated with Mariah Carey on the hit track “Loverboy” from her Glitter soundtrack, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001.Clark Kent’s impact extended beyond music into sneaker culture, where he became known as one of the most influential sneakerheads. His collection was estimated to include over 3,500 pairs of rare sneakers as of 2018.Even in recent years, Clark Kent remained relevant in the industry. He co-produced Ye (Kanye West) and Lil Pump’s viral hit “I Love It” in 2018, which became another top 10 success on the Billboard Hot 100.Remembering a Legend
DJ Clark Kent’s contributions to hip-hop and sneaker culture remain undeniable, and his loss is felt deeply throughout the community. From the early days of New York rap to global chart-topping success, Clark Kent’s legacy will live on through the music, stories, and culture he helped shape.
DJ Clark Kent rose to prominence in the 1980s as a DJ before solidifying his legacy as a producer. His breakthrough came in 1995 with “Player’s Anthem” by Junior M.A.F.I.A. and The Notorious B.I.G., a hit that peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced the world to Lil' Kim.Clark Kent’s long-standing collaboration with Jay-Z produced several standout tracks from Jay’s classic debut album Reasonable Doubt (1996), including “Brooklyn’s Finest” featuring Biggie Smalls, “Coming of Age,” and “Cashmere Thoughts.” He played a significant role in New York's hip-hop history and also discovered Bad Boy artist-turned-politician Shyne in the late 1990s.In addition to his music achievements, Clark Kent shared a familial connection to rap royalty—he was a cousin of Foxy Brown. He also collaborated with Mariah Carey on the hit track “Loverboy” from her Glitter soundtrack, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001.Clark Kent’s impact extended beyond music into sneaker culture, where he became known as one of the most influential sneakerheads. His collection was estimated to include over 3,500 pairs of rare sneakers as of 2018.Even in recent years, Clark Kent remained relevant in the industry. He co-produced Ye (Kanye West) and Lil Pump’s viral hit “I Love It” in 2018, which became another top 10 success on the Billboard Hot 100.Remembering a Legend
DJ Clark Kent’s contributions to hip-hop and sneaker culture remain undeniable, and his loss is felt deeply throughout the community. From the early days of New York rap to global chart-topping success, Clark Kent’s legacy will live on through the music, stories, and culture he helped shape.
