In tragic and very unexpected news, reports have emerged that leading Chicago producer DJ Rashad has passed away. Different sources report his age as 34 or 35.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that he was found by a friend on Saturday afternoon (April 26) at around 1:30 p.m. local time. He was apparently unresponsive and was pronounced dead soon after. The police suspect a drug overdose, since an officer said that drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered near to Rashad's body.
The DJ lived in nearby Calumet City, and he had been scheduled to perform on Saturday night in Detroit along with DJ Spinn and DJ Godfather, who are members of his Teklife crew.
His death has yet to be formally announced by his representatives, but a statement is reportedly forthcoming on Monday (April 28). In the meantime, the death has been confirmed by some of his friends and collaborators, including Chance the Rapper, who tweeted, "Music lost a legend today. And he was my friend. Love you DJ Rashad. RIP." See a few tribute tweets below.
An autopsy is taking place on Sunday (April 27).
Rashad was known as a pioneer of the house music sub-genre footwork. He released the album Double Cup last year; in our review, we wrote, "You will be hard-pressed to find a fresher-sounding dance LP this year."
Rashad was due to release his We On 1 EP on vinyl this week (April 28) through Southern Belle Recordings. The digital version is scheduled for May 13.
He is survived by his nine-year-old son Chad.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that he was found by a friend on Saturday afternoon (April 26) at around 1:30 p.m. local time. He was apparently unresponsive and was pronounced dead soon after. The police suspect a drug overdose, since an officer said that drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered near to Rashad's body.
The DJ lived in nearby Calumet City, and he had been scheduled to perform on Saturday night in Detroit along with DJ Spinn and DJ Godfather, who are members of his Teklife crew.
His death has yet to be formally announced by his representatives, but a statement is reportedly forthcoming on Monday (April 28). In the meantime, the death has been confirmed by some of his friends and collaborators, including Chance the Rapper, who tweeted, "Music lost a legend today. And he was my friend. Love you DJ Rashad. RIP." See a few tribute tweets below.
An autopsy is taking place on Sunday (April 27).
Rashad was known as a pioneer of the house music sub-genre footwork. He released the album Double Cup last year; in our review, we wrote, "You will be hard-pressed to find a fresher-sounding dance LP this year."
Rashad was due to release his We On 1 EP on vinyl this week (April 28) through Southern Belle Recordings. The digital version is scheduled for May 13.
He is survived by his nine-year-old son Chad.
Music lost a legend today. And he was my friend. Love you DJ Rashad. RIP
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2014@DJShortstop DJ Rashad passed away
— DJ Godfather (@DJ_Godfather) April 26, 2014I lost my best friend today. Love you bro. I can't even breathe. I'll remember you forever.
— CUSHMANℐ-ⒸⓊⓈⒽ❄️ (@JCUSH__) April 27, 2014Detroit I need y'all to come out tonight!!! @djtayeteklife we can't do nothing but go hard tonight for our brother @DJRASHAD #teklifeforever
— DJ SpinnTekLife 20/3 (@DJ_Spinn) April 27, 2014