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.
The 45 King first gained fame with his breakbeat track "The 900 Number" in 1987. The song featured a looping of a baritone sax solo from Marva Whitney's "Unwind Yourself" (1968). The 45 King signed with Tuff City Records that year and was given a production deal. "The 900 Number" remains his signature work, having been resampled by many artists. He was also featured on the 1989-Hustlers Convention album on the UK label Music of Life, which is considered by many to be hip-hop's first-ever live album.
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Links to Peel[]
Peel played tracks from the producer in January 1989 on his radio programmes. On his March 2002 (FSK) show, Peel played a track from his new single, but didn't seem to play it on his regular BBC Radio One shows. After Peel's death in 2004, it was later found out that he had a copy of his 'Master Of The Game' album in his Record Collection: 1-9.
Shows Played[]
- 11 January 1989: Coolin' (12" - The King Is Here) Tuff City
- 17 January 1989: The Free Style (12" - The King Is Here!) Tuff City
- 18 January 1989: Coolin' (12" - The King Is Here) Dance Trax
- 2002
- March 2002 (FSK): Drop The Bomb (12" - Drop Da Bomb / Double Dare) Blazin'