Chicago Music Legend and “Ghetto House” Creator DJ Deeon Dead at 56

The music community echoed in shock following recent news that Chicago legend DJ Deeon is dead at the young age of 56.

A true pioneer of Chicago‘s house music scene, DJ Deeon is dead at the unfortunately premature age of 56. Both his press representative and Facebook page admin confirmed the news, revealing known ongoing health problems.  Ultimately, Deeon peacefully left this world in the presence of his family at the hospital.

Born as Deeon Boyd, the DJ/producer made his mark on Chicago’s vibrant house scene in the mid-1990s with his 1994 EP, “Funk City.” He quickly became known for his fast, raw sound that pushed the city’s house music forward from its 80s heyday. With catchy and playfully layered explicit chants, his tracks quickly became essential classics in the house music canon.

Fans may be most familiar with “Freak Like Me,” one of the most successful and enduring of his hits since its 1996 release. Tracks like “2 B Free,” as well as the ultra-insistent “House-O-Matic” and “The Freaks” are also considered genre-defining. Ultimately, Deeon’s music had a lasting impact on new generations sampling and remixing his work to give it new life.

In 2016, the Lee Walker remix of “Freak Like Me” featuring pop singers Katy B and MNEK introduced his music to a new audience. Hi-Lo achieved techno success in 2022 by sampling “2 B Free”. Furthermore, Boyd himself lent his vocals to another popular track, Dance System’s “Work It.” Even the iconic electronic duo Daft Punk acknowledged Boyd as an inspiration in their track “Teachers.”

Despite battling various health issues, DJ Deeon’s determination and creativity never waned. In 2020, he launched a crowdfunding initiative to cover his medical expenses, sharing his struggles with a litany of procedures. Nevertheless, he continued to release music, with his most recent release this May.

The news of his passing triggered an outpouring of heartfelt tributes online. Particularly, DJ Slugo reminisced about over 30 years of memories with Deeon and vowed to carry on his legacy.

DJ Deeon’s impact on the house genre and music industry broadly is immeasurable. His exuberant productions and frank lyrics resonated with audiences, making him a true icon in the Chicago scene. The loss of such a talented and influential artist leaves a significant void in the music industry.

The music world deeply mourns DJ Deeon, whose vibrant spirit left an indelible mark on musicians and fans alike. His legacy will continue to resonate through the generations of music lovers and producers he has inspired. To stay updated on community members paying their respects, click here.

Ginger Ale

Having grown up just an earshot from Ultra Miami’s venue Bayfront Park, it was next to impossible for me not to fall in love with electronic music. My love for music was evidently strong enough for me to write my college essay on festival culture and continue attending Ultra for 10+ years now. I have always had a knack for writing and the power of words, which I continued cultivating through a Philosophy degree in college. Now, I am finishing up law school and hope to merge my passions by working in the music industry. I am an avid traveler and am certainly not afraid to hop on a plane for a music event. My next bucket list items to attend are Tomorrowland in Belgium and ADE in the Netherlands. Though the list could go on forever, some of my favorite artists include Franky Wah, Kevin de Vries, Eli Brown, and John Summit.

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