The hip-hop community in New York and beyond, still reeling from the news of rapper Ka’s death, is now mourning one other legendary figure. DJ Clark Kent, born Rodolfo Franklin, an influential producer and club DJ living in New York who introduced Jay-Z and Biggie, died on Thursday, October 24. He was 58 years old.

After preliminary reports on Friday, Franklin’s death was confirmed on October 26 via post in your Instagram account.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the death of our beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the caption began. “Clark died on Thursday evening surrounded by his devoted wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio.”

The post noted that Franklin died after a three-year battle with colon cancer.

The caption ended: “The family is grateful for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this time and requests privacy as they process this tremendous loss.”

Franklin rose to the highest as hip-hop rose to prominence within the Eighties and Nineties. He started off as a DJ in various clubs throughout New York. From there he continued to climb before climbing the music industry ladder to provide for each Atlantic Records and Motown. As DJ Clark Kent, he was on stage for lots of the genre’s most significant historical moments and was at the middle of a few of a very powerful musical connections – the anecdotes he became famous for telling.

Franklin earned his stage name because he wore glasses just like the thick, black, block-on glasses worn by Superman’s famous alter ego, Clark Kent. He was also affectionately called “God’s favorite DJ“

The biggest hits he took part in producing include “Player’s Anthem” by Junior MAFIA, “Brookyln’s Finest” by Jay-Z and “Loverboy” by Mariah Carey. He has also reportedly worked with stars akin to Queen Latifah, Doug E. Fresh, the Fugees, Rakim, Ice Cube and more. CBS News.

Although Franklin often told others that he was born in his native Panama, he was actually born on September 28, 1966 within the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York Times reported. His wife told the publication that there’ll soon be a documentary about him and his influence on hip-hop.

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Following Franklin’s death, many individuals who remembered him or worked with him paid tribute.

“…A true luminary of the hip-hop world,” wrote the Hip Hop Museum entry on X about Franklin. “With a career spanning over five decades, Clark Kent was not only a DJ, but a visionary, producer and cultural ambassador who played a key role in shaping the sound of hip hop.”

IN entry on X featuring screenshots of Franklin encouraging her via text messages, radio and media personality Scottie Beam wrote, “I truthfully cannot put into words how much DJ Clark Kent has helped me and pushed me and so many others out of my comfort zone…using just that, for what we each absolutely stood for, which was passion.”

Others paid tribute within the comments below the post announcing his death.

“Clark will forever be a culture,” Questlove wrote.

MC Lyte admitted that Franklin was “the first person who believed” in her voice.

Stylist and designer June Ambrose wrote: “I’m speechless! Sending love and light to his entire family! We will truly miss him and honor him forever.”

Kid Capri added: “My brother is dead. It was an honor to know him. I will remember our conversations fondly forever. He was one of a kind, and the world lost one wonderful, peaceful journey, my brother.”

In addition to his wife Kesha, son Antonio III and stepdaughter Kabriah, Franklin is survived by two siblings, Eric and Kathryn Franklin.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – GloRilla has stumbled upon hip-hop stage, lighting up the rap world a couple of years ago with groundbreaking songs like “Tomorrow“And”FNF (Let’s go)” – even earning a Grammy nomination. But as her name grew, so did the pressure.

As critics predicted that GloRilla’s profession would fail, she began to overthink every move. The noise shook her confidence, causing her to stop and reassess the situation before returning to the sport.

“They started humiliating me. It hit home for me,” said the Memphis-born rapper, who recently released her debut studio album, “Glorious,” which features several popular artists, including Megan Thee Stallionsummer, sexy red, kirk franklin, T-PainKierra Sheard and BossMan Dlow. On her album, she wanted to show her versatility, combining romance, gospel and crunk-infused melodies.

But before GloRilla could bring her latest project to life, she had to rediscover her groove as an artist.

“Every time I put out a song, they weren’t really feeling it,” said the 25-year-old rapper, whose Hitkidd-produced song “FNF (Let’s Go)” was nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for best rap performance. “I lost some confidence. But I knew I could get it back. That’s why I didn’t give up. … I took that as motivation.”

GloRilla, the raspy-voiced backup singer-turned-rap queen, clung to her faith. She visited the studio more often, made affirmations, cleared her mind, adopted a consistent exercise program, and allowed her creativity to flow. This combination resulted in the discharge of her mixtape “Ehhthang Ehhthang” with songs reminiscent of “I need to be” featuring Megan Thee Stallion and the breakout hit “Yes, Glo!”, which had fans buzzing while also attracting attention LeBron James and even the President Joe Biden.

“I was shocked,” she said. “I knew it was a superb song. Every time I played it for people, they loved it. I didn’t realize it could be as crazy because it got. “

GloRilla could have been surprised by this song, but Yo Gotti saw her potential as a hitmaker all along. He was captivated by her authentic character and rap style, fueled by her unique Southern accent.

“It’s about authenticity,” said the rapper, who signed GloRilla to his Collective Music Group label in 2022. He is understood for rap anthems reminiscent of “Down in the DM”, “Rake It Up” with Nicki Minaj, and “Act Right” featuring Jeezy and YG

“Even when he talks about the struggles of this journey, it’s refreshing,” said Yo Gotti, a Memphis resident. “I don’t think many artists do that. Everyone wants to play perfectly. I think that’s why so many people are drawn to her. He connects with real people.”

Thanks to Yo Gotti’s mentorship, GloRilla has found someone she will trust.

“Whenever I have a problem, he always gives me good advice,” she said. “He’s already made a lot of mistakes, so he’s trying to distract me from it. He always tells me what needs to be done.”

GloRilla faced devastation last yr deadly panic at the top of her concert in upstate New York, she killed three women. She said the deaths “broke her heart” and investigators found no crime.

After the tragedy, GloRilla’s public popularity seemed intact, and her profile has risen in recent months, making her one of rap’s most promising latest voices.

“She’s a star,” Yo Gotti said. “Not just making music. He understands how to work, honesty and dedication to art. Sometimes you wish to be a star but you do not understand what it takes. You have to have all of it and he or she does it.

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So far this yr, GloRilla has made guest appearances on the national leg of Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Tour this summer, where she has gained more confidence performing on sold-out stages.

GloRilla recently performed at entrepreneur Michael Rubin’s star-studded party, where she performed in front of such popular celebrities as Leonardo DiCaprio, Drake, Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian and Travis Scott. A couple of months ago Rihanna posted a video of herself dancing to “TGIF” by GloRilla, a single from her latest album that debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

In March, GloRilla attended a Women’s History Month event on the White House. She met with Biden and eventual Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, revising her song “Yeah Glo!” to “Yes, Joe!” in the course of the visit.

Last month Beyonce she called GloRilla one of her favorite young artists. She also received a key to the town of Memphis from the mayor for her achievements as an artist and visited the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, where she met with head coach Mike Tomlin and players of her favorite team.

All in all, GloRilla resides the dream.

“Sometimes I think I’ll wake up and it won’t happen again,” she said. “It didn’t fully sink in for me. I live it and do all of the activities, but sometimes it still doesn’t feel real.

After releasing his last album, “The Thief Next to Jesus,” in August, New York rapper Ka has died at the age of 52.

According to a post to him Instagram profile On Monday, October 14, on Saturday, the legend of underground hip-hop died unexpectedly.

“It is with broken hearts that we announce the death of Kaseem Ryan,” the post began. “Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Ka lived a life of service to his city, his community and his music.”

Ka’s profession, which took off in the early 2000s, showed few signs of stopping until his latest release. During his life, i.e. from 1972 to 2024, he released 11 albums, while maintaining his independent underground status.

While many knew Ka for his respect for New York’s underground rap scene, many also knew him as a veteran of the New York City Fire Department. For over 20 years, Ka, who was the first to offer aid on September 11, 2001, rose through the ranks not only in music, but to the rank of captain of the New York Police Department.

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“He leaves an extraordinary legacy as a recording artist, including eleven extraordinary self-released solo albums,” it continues. “Ka left behind a wife, mother and sister. We kindly ask that you respect the privacy of Ka’s family and their loved ones as they mourn this incalculable loss.”

Ka first joined the industry as a founding member of the group Natural Elements in 1993, before forming the duo Nightbreed with the late rapper Kev, The billboard was announced. Ka eventually struck out on his own with acclaimed independent releases including “Grief Pedigree” and “The Night’s Gambit”.

Stylistically, he was known for songs resembling epic poems and albums with multi-layered and sophisticated themes, he says. Vulture.

Ka’s wife, Mimi Valdés, artist, film producer and longtime collaborator of Pharrell Williams, paid tribute to her late husband social mediacalling him her “king”, “hero”, and “best friend”.

“You will at all times be my every little thing because a love like ours lasts ceaselessly. Rest well, my beautiful husband, see you on the other side,” she wrote in the caption of a post containing a portrait of the late rapper.

No explanation for death was given.