A pioneer in the country’s Bacardi house scene.
Marvin Ramalepe aka DJ Spoko, the South African artist who pioneered the city’s Bacardi house scene, has died at age 35. His death was confirmed by a representative to Resident Advisor who said it was due to complications from a long-term illness.
Originally born in the town of Tzaneen, Spoko began producing early on and later learned sound engineering with mentorship from Shangaan Electro’s Nozinja. His approach to the country’s kwaito house proved so unique it developed into its own style dubbed “Bacardi house”.
A classic example of his production work can be heard on DJ Mujava’s ‘Township Funk’ from 2007. A breakout single for the scene, it became one of the first South African club tracks to gain international attention.
Spoko went on to tour internationally and released music on True Panther Sound, Lit City Trax and more. His last release was a split EP with Matias Aguayo on the producer’s label Cómeme.
Find tributes to Spoko below and listen to some of his work below.
Gathering thoughts now….but devastated to say goodbye to Marvin Ramalepe aka DJ Spoko. We became good friends despite what might've seemed like a huge chasm of cultural class and racial differences because of a real shared love of music. pic.twitter.com/OWfAeOHYrf
— TRUE PANTHER SOUNDS (@truepanther) March 14, 2018
Township Funk https://t.co/hJPApGxOOp on loop right now in tribute to the beat master DJ Spoko who passed #RIP
— Jay Nelson (@duomark) March 14, 2018
RIP Bacardi house pioneer DJ Spoko pic.twitter.com/9JuFAZEQLO
— BOILER ROOM (@boilerroomtv) March 14, 2018
The post Influential South African artist DJ Spoko has died, aged 35 appeared first on FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music..