DJ Rashad

DJ Rashad

DJ Rashad performing in Moscow in 2013
Background information
Birth name Rashad Hanif Harden
Born (1979-10-09)October 9, 1979
Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
Died April 26, 2014(2014-04-26) (aged 34)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Electronic, footwork, juke
Occupation(s) Musician
DJ
Years active 1998–2014[1]
Labels Hyperdub
Juke Trax
Ghettophiles
Lit City Trax
Planet Mu

Rashad Harden (October 9, 1979 – April 26, 2014), known as DJ Rashad, was a Chicago-based electronic musician, producer and DJ known as a pioneer in the footwork genre, and often associated with Hyperdub Records[2] and Teklife crew.[3]

Life

Born in Hammond, Indiana on October 9, 1979, Rashad Hanif Harden was the son of Gloria and Anthony Harden.[4][5] He grew up on 108 Street in the southern part of Calumet City, a suburb of Chicago.[6][7] He developed an early interest in music and began to DJ in his early teens. According to his father, "since [Harden] was a kid, he's been doing this [and] he knew what he wanted to do". In high school, Harden gained further DJ experience at the Kennedy-King College radio station WKKC.[8] He also became a member of local dance troupes, including the HouseOMatics, The Phyrm, and Wolf Pac. In 1992 he made his first public appearance as a DJ at his high school jubilation.[9]

While attending Thornwood High School, Harden met Morris Harper (aka DJ Spinn) during homeroom class. The two began to spend time at each other's houses producing tracks and performing at parties.[9] Harden was one of the founders of the Teklife crew and developed footwork around dance battles in the greater Chicago area.[8]

Harden was one of the performers at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago in 2013 and completed support-slot on the tour of Chance the Rapper in December 2013.[10]

On June 29, 2015, Hyperdub released the 6613 EP, a four-track EP of previously unheard tracks by DJ Rashad. Afterlife is Harden's latest album featuring previously unreleased songs in collaboration with other members of the Teklife crew. It is to be released on April 8, 2016, as the first release of the new Teklife Records label and in tribute to DJ Rashad .[11]

Death

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Harden was found dead at an apartment on West 21st Street, Chicago. According to police reports, Harden was found by a friend and was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:50 p.m.[10][12] An initial autopsy proved to be inconclusive.[4] Initial reports suspected that the death was due to a drug overdose as his body was surrounded by "drug paraphernalia", however, his cousin stated that his death was due to a blood clot in his leg and that the drug paraphernalia was related to cannabis and not hard drugs.[13] However, on August 7, 2014 an autopsy confirmed that the death was in fact drug related, with heroin, cocaine and alprazolam being found in Rashad's system.[14]

Discography

Albums

EPs and singles

See also

References

  1. ↑ FACT Magazine (April 28, 2014). "Hyperdub release statement on the death of DJ Rashad". FACT Magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ "BBC item" Entertainment Newsdesk, 'Chicago's DJ Rashad found dead', BBC News, April 27, 2014
  3. ↑ http://teklife57.com/releases/001-Afterlife/
  4. 1 2 "Pitchfork news" Amy Phillips and Evan Minsker, "DJ Rashad Autopsy Inconclusive', Pitchfork Media, April 28, 2014
  5. ↑ Los Angeles Times (April 28, 2014). "Passings: Michael Heisley, DJ Rashad". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  6. ↑ Greg Kot (April 27, 2014). "DJ Rashad dead; dance music innovator Rashad dead at 34". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ LAST Q&A with DJ RASHAD
  8. 1 2 "Suntimes newsitem" Becky Schlikerman, Mark Guatino & Brandon Wall, 'House music, footwork icon DJ Rashad found dead on South Side', Chicago Sun-Times, April 26, 2014
  9. 1 2 "Billboard – incl. official statement" Harley Brown, 'DJ Rashad Dead at 34 (Update)', Billboard, April 28, 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Chicago Tribune Newsreport" Ernest Wilkins and Carlos Sadovi, 'Chicago juke pioneer DJ Rashad reportedly dead' Chicago Tribune, April 26, 2014
  11. ↑ Records, TEKLIFE. "TEKLIFE001 : AFTERLIFE - RIP DJ RASHAD". teklife57.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  12. ↑ FACT Magazine (April 27, 2014). "DJ Rashad has died". FACT Magazine. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ "DJ Rashad died as a result of a blood clot, not drugs". The Guardian. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  14. ↑ Gordon, Jeremy (August 7, 2014). "DJ Rashad Died of Drug Overdose, Autopsy Confirms". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 8, 2014.

External links

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