The 45 King

Biography

Mark Howard James (October 16, 1961 – October 19, 2023), professionally known as The 45 King and also known as DJ Mark the 45 King, 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.
In the early 1990s, drug addiction caused him to lose a production deal that he signed with Warner Bros. Records.
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.
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.
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.
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 an obsessed fan.
James died on October 19, 2023, at the age of 62.

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
Ghostface Killah – Blood in the Streets (featuring AZ) – Tommy Boy, 2014
Fatlip – The Bass Line |\| I Got the Shit |\| M.I.A. – Delicious Vinyl, 2005
Diamond D – U Don't Owe Me – Dymond Mine Records, 2005
King Gordy – Nobody Hates Nothin' - Web Entertainment, 2003
Biz Markie – Turn Back the Hands of Time – Tommy Boy, 2003
Princess Superstar - Bad Babysitter (Remix) - Rapster Records, 2002
Celph Titled – Right Now – Bronx Science Recordings, 2001
Craig Mack – The Wooden Horse – NY.LA Music, 2001
Dyme – Ladies Are U Wit Me – Interscope Records, 2001
Paula Perry – Y'all Chickens Make Me Laugh – Fully-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 – 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
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
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
MC Lyte – Big Bad Sister |\| Kamikaze |\| Like a Virgin |\| Absolutely Positively...Practical Jokes – First Priority Music/Atlantic, 1991
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
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
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