Dj Rashad Found Dead at his Residence[/b]
Chicago house music pioneer DJ Rashad was found dead at his West Side home on Saturday afternoon.
The Chicago Tribune reports asuspected drug overdose as his cause of death since narcotics and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found near his body. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to police. As Pitchfork notes, the 35-year-old, born Rashad Harden, brought the frenetic Chicago style of dance music to a global audience. He was instrumental in the development of footwork, a house music style associated with dance battles. His last album was 2013's Double Cup. Harden was set to release his latest EP, We On 1, on Monday. He also had a full year of touring clubs around the world lined up.Detroit’s DJ Godfather, who set set to play with Harden Sunday night, tweeted the news on Saturday.
Harden is a resident of Calumet City, which is just outside of Chicago. He became a well-known force in the city, playing in many clubs and performing at last year’s Pitchfork Music Festival, where he was set to play again this year. He also opened for Chance the Rapper on a tour at the end of last year. While in high school, Rashad Harden familiarized himself with the city’s DJ scene as a member of several dance troupes. He then embarked on a music career, spinning at parties and clubs around the city. He also worked closely with several other Chicago DJs, including DJ Spinn and DJ Clent, eventually forming his own clique called Teklife.
Harden’s fifth LP, Double Cup, released in 2013, garnered the DJ critical acclaim and is credited for helping to bring footwork to the forefront. Footwork, previously known as juke, is a music genre born in Chicago with an electronic foundation, noted for its quick dance moves, fast tempo and frequent integration of popular vocals.
Chicago house music pioneer DJ Rashad was found dead at his West Side home on Saturday afternoon.
Harden is a resident of Calumet City, which is just outside of Chicago. He became a well-known force in the city, playing in many clubs and performing at last year’s Pitchfork Music Festival, where he was set to play again this year. He also opened for Chance the Rapper on a tour at the end of last year. While in high school, Rashad Harden familiarized himself with the city’s DJ scene as a member of several dance troupes. He then embarked on a music career, spinning at parties and clubs around the city. He also worked closely with several other Chicago DJs, including DJ Spinn and DJ Clent, eventually forming his own clique called Teklife.
Harden’s fifth LP, Double Cup, released in 2013, garnered the DJ critical acclaim and is credited for helping to bring footwork to the forefront. Footwork, previously known as juke, is a music genre born in Chicago with an electronic foundation, noted for its quick dance moves, fast tempo and frequent integration of popular vocals.