On July 17, 2023, it was sadly announced on DJ Deeon‘s facebook page that he had passed. The artist, label owner, and “ghetto house” music pioneer is cherished by many. Although he was credited for being a pillar of the 90’s house music scene, his impact on modern dance music is undeniable with such collaborations with artists such as Wehbba, Hi-Lo, and more. With the passing of this titan, here are just a handful of many tributes paid to DJ Deeon.
Of the numerous remixes and tracks that the late Tomchilla contributed to Shadow Wulf, the latest release (in collaboration with fellow Australian artist Lektrk), âSpaceâ, may be the most memorable. Together, Michael (Lektrk) and Thomas (Tomchilla) demonstrate their strong grasp on the current sounds in dark minimal and psytechno, and show a beautiful creative connection that was severed much too early.
The 31st of March is a special and bittersweet date for house music fans all over the world. I still remember exactly where I was in Chicago in 2014Â when the city and the world were hit with the heart-breaking news that Frankie Knuckles, The Godfather of House, had passed away due to complications linked to a diabetes condition.
That date became significant for all House Music fans throughout the world, just as August 25th had been for a decade prior and continues to be today. In 2004, then Chicago Mayor Richard Daley declared August 25th to be Frankie Knuckles Day. The block where the Warehouse stood was renamed Frankie Knuckles Way and that evening 10,000 people poured into the city’s Grant Park to hear him play.
The world of music lost an important rap icon as we learned that that Malik Taylor, known as A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg, has passed away aged 45.
Rolling Stone reports that the artist died Tuesday following complications that resulted from his already-known diabetes condition. Taylor had undergone a kidney transplant in 2008 to deal with the same battle, admitting in 2011 in Beats, Rhymes & Life, Michael Rapaport’s documentary on the group. “It’s really a sickness. Like straight-up drugs. I’m just addicted to sugar.”
“Malik was our loving husband, father, brother and friend,” a statement from the family reads. “We love him dearly. How he impacted all our lives will never be forgotten. His love for music and sports was only surpassed by his love of God and family.”
Although the group broke up and reunited on several occasions following the release of their last album, 1998’s the Love Movement, Taylor appeared on all five of the group’s albums, most notably with 1991’s The Low End Theory. While the group did get back together for some sporadic live shows, they never produced together again following their reunions.
A Tribe Called Quest in downtown Manhattan, 1989 – picture by Janette Beckman
Sadly, declining health problems meant that Taylor couldn’t shine as a solo artist as he may have wanted. He did release his only solo album Ventilation: Da LP in 2000 and when speaking to Rolling Stone last November, he remained somewhat optimistic about both his health and future plans to release music.
“Even though I knew I had [diabetes], I was in denial,” Taylor said in the documentary. “I had to have my sugar. You have to accept it. If you don’t accept it, it’s going to kick your ass.” He continued to reunite with the band for live shows in part to help with the medical costs needed to battle the illness. His contributions to rap and music overall remain as relevant and timeless as ever.
There is no question that A Tribe Called Quest remains one of the most influential rap groups of all time, their role in the shaping of 90s rap music as important today as it was twenty-five years ago. Today, more than ever, people are looking up to the sky and asking, “Can I Kick It?”
The band’s chemistry was undoubtedly one of their strongest traits. The first single of their second album The Low End Theory, entitled “Check The Rhime” is the perfect example of this special synergy. The outcome is a seamless exchange between all of Tribe members.
With “Jazz (We’ve Got) Buggin’ Out”, A Tribe Called Quest explore their deep jazz roots with Taylor contributing verses about urban life as the song touches upon Caribbean wisdom, their personal life, Zulu Nation and more.
