In the span of almost a decade, Unk—also referred to as DJ Unk—went from small-scale DJ to a brief southern rap sensation with his hits “Walk it Out” and “2 Step” in the mid 2000s. His time in the limelight would fade before the turn of the decade as a result of a health complication, leaving him mostly regarded in the present day as a “two hit wonder” from the heyday of snap music.

Born Anthony Leonard Platt in Atlanta, Georgia on November 28, 1981, Unk began DJing in the late ‘90s and eventually became a part of the Southern Style DJs crew that consisted of DJ Jelly and DJ Montay. In 2000, music executive Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson signed him to his indie label Big Oomp Records, and a few years later, he made his official debut on Dem Franchize Boyz' “Suckas Come and Try Me” in February 2006. Unk’s debut single “Walk it Out” arrived that summer, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Platinum certified. “2 Step,” the next single from his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block!, became his second best charting, reaching #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Gold certified.

Following a feature on Three 6 Mafia’s single “I’d Rather” in early 2008 and the release of his second album 2econd Season that fall, which contained the singles “Show Out,” a minor hit and “In Yo Face,” a track that went on to appear in the video game NBA 2K9, Unk’s popularity and musical output decreased after a mild heart attack on August 29, 2009 due to medical issues from his poor diet and exercise choices. Upon his recovery, he put out a few singles that received little notice and returned to touring before coming back with his third album Fresh off Dem Papers in 2017. On January 24, 2025, he met his end from a heart attack while sleeping at the age of 43, with his wife announcing the news through social media.