Tim Baker, a DJ, producer, label owner, and founder of a fashion brand has died. A cause of death has not yet been confirmed; a commemorative post on a Facebook group dedicated to a club Baker held a residency at in the 1980s writes that he suffered a heart attack.
In the mid-1980s, the Detroit-born artist got his first turntables and became involved in techno as it exploded in popularity in the area.
From 1987 to 1988, he shared a DJ residency with Jeff Mills at Ann Arbor’s Nectarine Club.
In 1993, he launched the Elephanthaus clothing company, which specialized in clubwear and took design inspiration from Detroit nightlife, and later expanded the brand into a clothing store and record label.
Baker has released a variety of albums and records on his own label, which he established in 1997, as well as on labels such as Ovum, Minifunk, Holzplatten, and NovaMute, as well as recording under the aliases Fun Police and Tiger Balm over the years.
He also toured extensively in the 1990s, making his European gig in 1994 at Berlin’s iconic Tresor and later performing at venues such as Spain’s Florida135 and Paris’ Rex Club, as well as major events such as Barcelona’s Sónar Festival, Berlin’s Love Parade, and back home at the Detroit Music Festival.
In 1998, he moved to Chicago and founded the Real Estate Records house label, combining his love of funk-fuelled Detroit techno with the uplifting spirit of Chicago house music. Over the years, the label has released music by artists such as Tyree Cooper, DJ Jacq, and Kut Chang’.
