DJ Rashad Dies of Drug Overdose, Hip-Hop Community Reacts

DJ Rashad Harden, a Chicago footwork and juke pioneer, passed away Saturday afternoon (April 26) of suspected drug overdose. He was 35 years old.

According to Chicago Sun-Times, a friend found Harden unresponsive in his Chicago apartment around 1:30PM. He was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics at 1:50PM. Narcotics and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found near his body. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday (April 27), according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

On Saturday, DJ Godfather was scheduled to perform with Harden, along with DJ Spinn, at Detroit's Inhale Art Expo. He later confirmed the sad news of his death on Twitter.

Harden was an innovator of the footwork and juke scene that started in Chicago and grew worldwide. The genre is named because of the lightning-fast dance steps associated with the music.

Harden was on the cusp of breakout success and was set to drop his new EP 'We On 1' on Monday (April 28).

“It’s just a tragic loss of a great musical genius,” said DJ Spinn, who has toured and collaborated with the late DJ.

Upon hearing the tragic news, artists from the hip-hop community expressed their condolences for DJ Rashad on Twitter. Read their tweets below:

We want to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of DJ Rashad Harden and the entire footwork and juke community.

Watch DJ Rashad's Performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival 2013