His manager confirmed the death, but provided no further details.
James went on to produce cuts by Latifah, Gang Starr, Salt-N-Pepa, Eric B.
& Rakim, Digital Underground, Madonna, C&CMusicFactory, and many others.
DJ Mark The 45 King (aka Mark Howard James)Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives
#RIP Mark Howard James aka the 45 King … Im 4ever grateful!!!
Jay-Z added: Thank you Mark.
Your instrumentals, namely The 900 Number, were more memorable than our whole albums.
You gave me a canvas to have a conversation with the world!!
You changed my life.
Even when the life is short, the art is long!!
No information on survivors or memorial plans was immediately available.
