Pioneering Detroit DJ Mike Brown has died following cancer battle
A fundraiser has been set up to support costs for the late DJ's funeral
Detroit DJ, mentor, and former Direct Drive member Mike Brown has passed away following a battle with cancer.
Brown died on Sunday, January 14, friends and family have confirmed. He suffered kidney dialysis before his passing, and was simultaneously battling cancer.
Last summer, a GoFundMe page was set up by friends and family to support Mike Brown’s cancer treatment. It reached $4,000 of a $15,000 target before he passed away.
“What do you say about an individual who has positively impacted anyone and everyone who has had the opportunity to know, in family or friendship,” reads the GoFundMe page.
“One piece of a puzzle that has helped shape the soul of Detroit through friendship, music, supporting culture versus divide, and most importantly, creating balance through communities.”
The page has now been updated with confirmation of Brown’s death, adding that the fundraiser has now been repurposed to support funeral costs for his family.
“This GoFundMe campaign was originally created in the summer for the same reason that I am unfortunately, updating now to support cost of funeral services for a dear friend to many and family member to his very inner circle,” it reads.
Mike Brown was a pioneering part of Detroit’s dance music scene in the late 1970s. He was a member of Direct Drive, per Resident Advisor, a music collective preluding the rise of techno in Detroit, influencing the likes of Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson.
Speaking on his life and career, fellow Direct Drive member Mike “Agent X” Clark wrote (via Brown’s GoFundMe): "Mike Brown was one of the Artists at the start of the Detroit electronic music scene.”
“Although too young to understand the scene, Mike had a very strong impression on me during those early days in the late '70s through the early '80s. As I grew older, I was blessed to work in collaborations as he has become a very dear friend, close to heart from bridged souls throughout the years.”
Support costs for Mike Brown’s funeral here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter
