Prince Markie Dee, a member of the rap trio The Fat Boys who later became a successful producer/songwriter and radio DJ, died Thursday in Miami. He was 52.

No cause was given.

The Fat Boys were one of rap’s most commercially successful groups in the 1980s; their 1987 album Crushin’ went platinum and three of their other albums were certified gold. The Boys’ collaboration with The Beach Boys on “Wipeout” was their biggest pop hit, peaking at #12. They also appeared in three films.

Mark Morales (Prince Markie Dee), Darren Robinson (the Human Beat Box) and Damon Wimbley (Kool Rock Ski) went by Disco 3 until they won a talent show at Radio City Music Hall in 1983. The contest promoter suggested they change their name to The Fat Boys and rap about their weight and food. Kurtis Blow helped them develop their sound.

The trio broke up in the 1990s, after which Prince Markie Dee released two solo albums and worked as a songwriter and producer for Uptown Records. He had a hand in writing and producing Mary J. Blige’s 1992 hit “Real Love,” also collaborating on her album What’s the 411?

Most recently, Prince Markie Dee had been active as a DJ on radio, with a show on Sirius XM and at Miami stations WIMB and WEDR.