K-Hand, real name Kelli Hand, a Detroit techno and house superstar, has died, according to close friends of the DJ. The reason of death has yet to be revealed.
With a career spanning more than three decades and several significant releases and shows around the world, the Detroit native is one of the most influential artists in dance music history.
In 2017, she was named “The First Lady of Detroit” when she received the city’s Testimonial Resolution certificate, which acknowledged her “skills in a male-dominated industry.”
Her earliest partying experiences took place at landmark venues such as the Paradise Garage in New York City and the Music Box in Chicago, where she saw legends like Larry Levan, Sylvester, and Loleatta Holloway in their heyday.
She created UK House Records in 1990, launching the label with a four-track EP titled “Think About It” under her Etat Solide identity. It featured four different versions of the title tune, ranging from bright and jacking sounds to the most raw end of the techno spectrum.
Her work was praised for its understanding of rhythm and percussion, as well as its ability to move effortlessly between soulful, minimal, and acid-infused tougher sounds.
