DJ Spoko, the influential producer best-known for pioneering the Bacardi house genre, has died. A representative has confirmed the news.
The sad news began circulating on Twitter this afternoon (14 March), and the cause of death is currently not known.
Born Marvin Ramalepe, Spoko was raised in the rural town of Tzaneen in South Africa. After moving to the Atteridgeville township outside of Pretoria, he began producing music before travelling to Soweto to learn sound engineering under the guidance of Shangaan Electro’s Nozinja. In 2007, he worked with Mujava – his protégé – on breakout hit Township Funk. His distinct production style, dubbed Bacardi house, led to Spoko being one of the first SA house producers to make an impact beyond Africa, touring the world and releasing music on True Panther Sounds, Cómeme, Lit City Trax as well as his own Ghetto Boyz Entertainment.
In October 2015, the artist fell ill during his European tour, and received treatment for TB at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Artists, friends and affiliates have paid tribute to the pioneer online. Read them below.
DJ Spoko was connecting tissue of this country’s unique genres..without Spoko there would be no Gqom, he invented Bacardi House and he was behind so much Shangaani music it ain’t funny..he was, is and forever will be very very important x
— JUMPINGBACKSLASH (@thisisjbs) March 14, 2018
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
he was a really kind of generous soul who made a lot from a little. I’ll truly miss him.
— TRUE PANTHER SOUNDS (@truepanther) March 14, 2018
asdfjkhwe….not even sure what else to say rn. thank you to @mirrorwills for introducing us. crushed. #restinbacardi dj spoko
— TRUE PANTHER SOUNDS (@truepanther) March 14, 2018
R.I.P. genious DJ Spoko 😢💔 @ghostship8
— Valesuchi (@_valesuchi_) March 14, 2018
So sad to hear #DJSpoko died, one of the true innovators in the current South African scene.. Worked with us on @africaexpress album in Joburg only last month. #RIPdjspoko pic.twitter.com/xRg7V53HtL
— Stephen Budd #FBPE (@stephenbudd) March 14, 2018