K-Hand, the ‘First Lady of Detroit’ house and techno, has died

© Max Schiano

Friends, fans and fellow artists have paid tribute to the Detroit legend.

Influential Detroit artist K-Hand, aka Kelli Hand, has died. As Mixmag reports, close friends of the pioneering DJ, producer and label head confirmed Hand’s passing last night (3 August). Fellow Detroit techno artist Alan Oldham has also tweeted: “The news is true. My sis, my friend since high school, the First Lady of Detroit techno, the great Miss Kelli Hand is gone. I’m at a loss for words.” The cause of death is currently unknown.

Hand was an esteemed DJ and producer, and the founder of Acadia Records, an imprint she started in 1990. The label was originally called UK House Records, and launched with an impressive four-track EP entitled Think About It from Hand under her Etat Solide alias. Acadia Records would go onto house numerous K-Hand releases, alongside essential techno offerings from the likes of Wamdue Kids, Claude Young, Sean Deason and Hiroshi Morohashi. 

Back in 2017, Hand was officially named ‘The First Lady of Detroit’ by the Detroit City council for her work as a techno pioneer and for “her skills within a male-dominated industry.” 

Hand released her first album, On A Journey, on !K7 Records in 1995. Across her career she also released on labels like Tresor and Warp. In fact, she was the first Detroit producer to release music on the influential UK indie, dropping EP Global Warning in 1994. A K-Hand track entitled Boiler also features on Tresor’s forthcoming 30-year box set.

Up until her passing, K-Hand was still touring extensively around the world. In July 2021, she played in Detroit, New York and Las Vegas. She was due to play Junction 2 festival in London at the end of August.

News of Hand’s reported passing broke on social media on last night, with tributes pouring in from friends, fans and fellow artists in the hours since. 

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