Died On This Date (June 5, 2011) Leon Botha / South African DJ; Collaborated With Die Antwoord
themusicsover Leon Botha
June 4, 1985 – June 5, 2011
Leon Botha was a visual artist and turntablist who is perhaps best remembered for his collaborations with fellow South African alt-Hip Hop outfit, Die Antwoord. Performing under the name, DJ Solarize, Botha appeared in Die Antwoord’s immensely popular video, “Enter The Ninja,” and toured with them as opening act. In 2007, Botha presented his first art exhibit, Liquid Sword: I am HipHop, which revolved around his love of the music. Botha suffered from the rare genetic disorder, progeria which produces rapid aging and generally leads to death of the afflicted by their early teens. In Botha’s case however, he beat the odds for several years. On June 5, 2011, just one day past his 26th birthday, Leon Botha died of heart failure, a by-product of progeria.
Corey McGriff, who was known professionally as DJ Megatron, was an up-and-coming radio and television personality who is perhaps best remembered as a DJ on New York City’s Hot97, and for his regular appearances on BET’s 106th and Park. Over the course of his young rising career, McGriff also worked at KISS-FM in New York, HOT 97.7 in Boston, and 100.3 The Beat in Philadelphia. He also dabbled in acting, appearing in such films as Blood Of A Champion and State Property 2. In the early hours of March 27, 2011, Corey McGriff was shot and killed near his Staten Island home. No other information was immediately released.
Stella Salamone was a popular Cleveland, Ohio metal disc jockey who, for over 20 years was known as the “Thrash Queen” at non-commercial station, WRUW-FM. She was most recently, the co-host of the station’s popular, Domestic Decay program. For many years, Salamone was an integral part of Cleveland’s punk, metal and thrash scenes. She was even credited for being the first area DJ to play grindcore. While still in her teens, Salamone first appeared as a guest DJ on WUJC’s Metal on Metal, and never looked back. Stella Salamone was 44 when she passed away after being taken off life support at an area hospital. Reports indicated that she had been found unconscious in her home a few days prior and that she had suffered a bad reaction to pain medications.
Aaron-Carl Ragland was a respected house and electronic producer and DJ who began building a following in Detroit during the mid ’90s. Ragland was revered for his dynamic showmanship and for bringing the house, electronic and techno communities together. After several popular releases on respected techno labels like Soul City, he formed his own label, Wallshaker Music. Ragland recently canceled his European tour when he was hospitalized for abdominal pains and learned he was suffering from lymphoma. Aaron-Carl Ragland was 37 when he died of the disease on September 30, 2010.
Sam Fields was a popular and longtime Los Angeles area radio disc jockey. For over three decades, he spun records at such influential stations as KMET, KROQ, KLAC, KKGO and KKJZ. But it was his love and knowledge of jazz that made him stand out above all the rest. He hit the L.A. airwaves in 1972 and was most recently heard at Long Beach’s respected KKJZ where he was recognized for bringing blues to the jazz station’s playlist. Sam Fields was 55 when he passed away in his home on September 23, 2005. Cause of death was not immediately released.