Detroit Club Legend K-Hand Has Died
Friends of Kelli Hand confirm her passing...
Detroit club heroine *K-Hand* has died.
Friends of the producer and DJ - real name Kelli Hand - confirmed the sad news on Twitter, although a cause of death has yet to be established.
Officially named The First Lady of Detroit in 2017, her role in the city's club scene helped power Detroit music into a fresh era.
A powerhouse personality, the city’s Testimonial Resolution certificate for her 2017 award referenced her notable "skills within a male-dominated industry."
Coming of age in such seminal clubs as New York's Paradise Garage and Chicago's Music Box, K-Hand witnessed the birth of house and techno, immersing herself in both.
Founding the UK House imprint in 1990, it was later re-named Acacia Records - typically, after a street in Detroit - and helped to usher in the second wave of techno.
A noted producer herself, K-Hand released on internationally renowned labels such as Warp Records and !K7 Records, while also maintaining a hectic schedule of DJ dates around the world.
A remarkable figure, her loss has been felt keenly across the dance music spectrum. Rest in power, K-Hand.
RIP legend Kelli Hand pic.twitter.com/79PzJGuzoh
— Ghostly (@ghostly) August 4, 2021
Mad respect for Kelli Hand. We finally met in London of all places a few years ago. Those Acacia records; she was pioneering! You leave us with an inspirational Detroit music legacy. Thank you. Rest eternal, K-Hand pic.twitter.com/wmxyn3EtXK
— Mike Servito (@mikeservito) August 4, 2021
K-Hand was the 1st female House/Techno producer I ever heard of. she was sweet & spent lots of time in Satellite Records Atlanta when I ran that in the 90’s. wicked producer & great DJ; she passed away & may her glorious Detroit legacy live on as she traverses The Great Beyond pic.twitter.com/U7ms7tGcVB
— Tommie Sunshine (@tommiesunshine) August 4, 2021
RIP K-Hand, thank you for the music pic.twitter.com/f5CMspVAAh
— SHINE (@ShineBelfast) August 4, 2021
Damn, very sad news. Rip K-Hand! Detroit royalty. pic.twitter.com/wyVboEJ9FN
— Alexander Nut (@AlexanderNut) August 4, 2021