Beloved French-Tunisian DJ Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, aka DJ Mehdi, passed away in freak accident on Tuesday while celebrating his 34th birthday with a group of friends.
According to a report from MTV News, Mehdi died when the roof of his home collapsed while he and his friends celebrated his birthday. At the time of writing, Mehdi’s label, Ed Banger Records, has yet to issue an official statement.
Beginning his career as a DJ for Different Teep, Mehdi eventually garnered public attention through his work with seminal French rap outfit Ideal J. His further work with DJ Mafia K’1 cemented Mehdi as a pivotal figure among artists attempting to mash together electro, hip hop and indie and transcend categorization. Further collaborators included Daft Punk, Miike Snow and MC Solaar, among others.
Beyond his successful collaborative efforts, Mehdi also enjoyed a prosperous solo career. He released a slew of trailblazing albums such as Lucky Boy and Des Friandises Pour Ta Bouche, the former of which contained the Chromeo-featuring single “I Am Somebody.”
Real solo success for Mehdi came in 2006, when he signed on with Ed Banger. His last release with the label—which appears on Pedro Winter’s Let the Children Techno—was the aptly titled track, “Tragicomehdi.”
In the hours since his death, Mehdi’s friends have taken to social media to express their grief.
“I have no words. My heart is completely shattered. Not this,” tweeted close friend DJ A-Trak.
“Sitting in a chair crying. My hearts broken. 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,” wrote Diplo.
“Saddest news ever I have no words,” said Mr. Oizo.
In addition to fans, friends and family, Mehdi is survived by his wife, Fafi, a respected French graffiti artist.
MXDWN extends our deepest sympathies to all those affected by DJ Mehdi’s untimely death.
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