• Sun-Times
  • Rashad Harden, better known as DJ Rashad, died yesterday at the age of 35.

Calumet City footwork master Rashad Harden, better known as DJ Rashad, died Saturday at the age of 35. Harden had been one of the biggest names in footwork, a fast-paced style of dance music that evolved out of ghetto house in the 90s. Along with frequent collaborator Morris Harper (aka DJ Spinn) and the rest of their footwork collective, Teklife, Harden helped bring this unique local sound to the rest of the world. He toured internationally and released music through chic electronic labels Planet Mu (which included Rashad on its renowned 2010 footwork compilation, Bangs & Works, Vol. 1) and Hyperdub, the London label run by influential dubstep pioneer Kode9.

Harden’s death comes less than a month after the passing of Chicago house icon Francis Nicholls, better known as Frankie Knuckles. It’s been a very difficult month for Chicago’s music scene. The community lost two figures who pioneered genres of music unique to this city that made waves around the world. We’ll be grappling with Harden’s influence long after this weekend, and his Teklife crew will continue to make his imprint bigger and wider.