DJ Mehdi Dead at 34
Posted on Sep 13th 2011 10:20AM by Jesse Ship
UPDATE: Reports have flowed in from France that DJ Mehdi died when his roof collapsed. According to MTV News, Mehdi was celebrating his 34th birthday with friends on his rooftop when the accident occured. We are still awaiting an official statement from his label Ed Banger.
Hip-hop and electro-house fans are in shock after news that famed French-Tunisian DJ Mehdi (Mehdi Favéris-Essadi) has passed at age 34. He was reportedly killed in an “accident” Sept. 13, according to In the Mix.
Close friend and collaborator DJ A-Trak tweeted Tuesday, “I have no words. My heart is completely shattered. Not this.”
DJ Mehdi was a visionary for urban music as he was part of the first wave of musicians to help bridge the gap between hip-hop, electro and indie rock sounds. He started his career as DJ for the group Different Teep, and found success with the legendary French rap group Ideal J. He was also DJ for Mafia K’1 Fry, a rap collective from the gritty Parisian suburbs.
His solo career was marked by a number of groundbreaking albums like ‘Des Friandises Pour Ta Bouche’ and ‘Lucky Boy,’ with the hit single ‘I Am Somebody’ featuring Chromeo. He was also known for his work with MC Solaar, Daft Punk, Chromeo, Miike Snow and many others. In 2006, his career was launched to global heights as he was signed to the French electro label Ed Banger Records. His last release came just a month ago on Pedro Winter’s ‘Let the Children Techno’ mix tape album, with the eerily foreshadowing title ‘Tragicomehdi.’
Many other musicians have expressed their grief via Twitter as well:
“R.I.P. DJ Mehdi. The void he has left behind is unbearable. Love you, Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo,” said Bloody Beetroots.
“Sitting in a chair crying. My hearts broken,” said Diplo. Adding: “I can only see mehdi smiling. He was always so happy he always smiling in all my memories he did everything with so much positivity.”
“Saddest news ever I have no words,” said Mr. Oizo.
“In remembrance of a dear soul DJ Medhi. Will be sorely missed!!!! :( :( :(,” said Snow.
DJ Mehdi’s tragic death leaves his wife, renowned French graffiti artist Fafi, family and thousands of fans and friends in mourning.
Spencer Rice Can’t Get No Love
I ran into Spencer Rice aka Spenny (from Kenny vs. Spenny etc) today at Manic Coffee. Still single, still white, same hang dog face as usual.But actually a genuinely nice guy. When I asked for his pic he instinctively got up to pose with me.
Star Slinger Makes Mavis Staples Smile With Remix of ‘Let’s Do It Again’
Courtesy of Star Slinger
Posted on Aug 31st 2011 5:00PM by Jesse Ship
Sometimes unauthorized samples can lead to lawsuits, but in the case of Manchester’s Darren Williams, aka, Star Slinger, it’s a formula for success.
The twenty-something hybrid hip-hop producer borrowed vocals from the legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples for a song on his much-blogged about ‘Volume 1′ album and, to his surprise, received praise from the artist herself.
“Her manager played the remix I did of [the Staple Sisters’] ‘Lets Do It Again’ and she actually liked it!” Williams tells Spinner. “She should be trying to sue me or something, but she’s not.”
Williams — who’s often compared to J Dilla but sees himself more in line with Planet-Mu-affiliated producers DJ Rashad and DJ Nate since “J Dilla is a given” — isn’t exactly an amateur when it comes to cooking up sample-based tracks either.
“I had just finished my university degree in Music Technology and I was making music for the hell of it,” he says. “I started going record shopping and actively sampling records because, prior to my education, I never had the courage to do it before. My studies taught me about a lot of good music and sampling, so I just sort of caved. It was something I had to do.”
Though he found success early on releasing trance music, Williams soon stepped outside of that scene. “I stopped making the dance music and went with a hip-hop and soul influence rather than playing what I was hearing on the weekend; Star Slinger is intentionally something totally different from what was out there at the time.”
“I’ve never thought that I’d be sampling forever,” he adds, “I like creating my own melodies too much.”
Though he isn’t entirely sold on a life of sampling, Williams might have a hard time reinventing himself given how in demand he’s become on the remix circuit. In the past year, he’s given his touch to Broken Social Scene‘s ‘Texico Bitches’, the Go! Team‘s ‘Apollo Throwdown’ and Toro Y Moi‘s ‘New Beat,’ just to name a few. While touring with breakout artists like Baths and performing repeat gigs at London’s legendary Fabric club has opened doors for him in terms of collaborations.
“Not everyone that I like likes my music but there are a fair bit of people who do, and I’m very happy with that,” says Williams. “I’m really into southern rap like Three6Mafia, Juicy J and Project Pat, so it’s pretty cool that the Stunnaman 2800 from the Pack contacted me saying he wants me to make him a mix tape.”
Star Slinger – Mornin’ Directed by Alan Jensen from Star Slinger on Vimeo.
Fan Expo 2011 Nerd-Approved Music Night Wrap Up
Shaun Hatton, singer, drummer, Electric Playground host, and professional media dork organized a kick ass Fan Expo 2011 Afterparty featuring bodily odour enhanced fans and some of the nerdiest talent in hiphop, metal, and internet geekery. Not sure who that Brental Floss weirdo was, but hats off to Wordburglar, More or Les, their fresh and soapy DJ Peter Project and the complete Cobra team. GOOOOOOO JOE!!! I mean… COOOOBRAAAAAAA!
Let’s hope this is just the beginning of more good things to come. Check in for potentially regular updates from fat dudes living in their parent’s basements at www.nerdapprovedmusic.tumblr.com
China Town Street Sluts!
Yo Majesty – Cherry Pop
It’s a Yo Majesty hoe down show down (or is it the other way around?) with number one original soul sistas Shunda K and Shon B! Git yo (tuba??) and cherry pop on! From the upcoming 2nd album.
Jack White Produces Insane Clown Posse (and Mozart)
From the PR (Nasty Little Man)
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No time to re-write this, but noteworthy none the less. Kudos to Dana West and her Nasty Little team :)
Cosplay Limbo Techno Party – Fan Expo 2011
Ever wonder what happens at the Fan Expo? Here’s what thousands of kids don’t want their parents to know!!!
Oxymoron
Gilles Peterson goes in – Now Magazine
Legendary BBC DJ Gilles Peterson sits down with us to discuss his experiences in Cuba and part two of his Havana Cultura Series co-produced with dubstep proudcer Mala along with a host of other characters.
Peterson played the Mod Club earlier this month.
Interviewed by Jesse Ship | Interview shot by Jason Saunders
