R.I.P. DJ Mehdi

This morning, the dance music community (and the world at large) awoke to the news of the sudden and tragic passing of a bright and truly unique talent, Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, otherwise known as DJ Mehdi.

A key player and shining star of the Ed Banger label that was instrumental in building the massive French Electro scene into the phenomenon it is today, Medhi was a charismatic and positive force. Not only a great DJ, but a truly talented producer and remixer, his excellent singles “Lucky Boy” and “Signatune” are just two brilliant examples of his ability to fuse the drama of hip-hop and raw power of electro into a vibrant new sound. A number of years back, I had the great pleasure of seeing Mehdi perform at Paris’ Social Club and 2 summers ago as part of the “Club 75” collaboration between himself, Cassius, and labelmates Busy P, and Justice.

I sadly never had a chance to meet the man in person, but by all accounts, everyone I know who ever worked with him, spun with him, shared a meal with him, or simply met him…smiled with him.

He is survived by his wife, French model and artist Fafi. He was 34 years old.

A number of years back, our KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley had a chat with the Ed Banger crew that you can revisit here.

— Mario Cotto