DUBSTEP MOURNS THE PASSING OF SPACEAPE
Hyperdub vocalist and poet loses his struggle against cancer
The dubstep and alt.hip-hop worlds were in mourning last night at the news of the passing of The Spaceape, the vocalist and poet who was an integral part of the Hyperdub kru. He passed away on Thursday 2nd October after losing his long struggle with cancer.
The Spaceape, whose real name was Stephen Samuel Gordon, released the first ever record on Hyperdub — ‘Sine Of The Dub’ in 2004, with label chief Kode9. He went on to release two albums with Kode9 — ‘Memories Of The Future (2006) and ‘Black Sun’ (2011). Just last week he released his new EP with Kode9, ‘Killing Season’, which included the video ‘Devil Is A Liar’:
A rare vocal talent, The Spaceape’s dusky rhymes led to him frequently being compared to dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson. He also collaborated with Burial, The Bug, Martyn, Jerry Dammers, Redshape, Dub Gabriel, The Echologist and more. He leaves behind his wife Luciana and daughter Chloe, aged six.
“Oh my Lord, RIP Spaceape, can’t believe it,” tweeted fellow vocalist Ghostpoet.
“RIP Spaceape, you beautiful soul,” said Mary Anne Hobbs.
“Horrible news,” tweeted Flying Lotus. “Sending love to the family and community.”
“Such sad news, my condolences go out to his wife and daughter,” said Skream. "Words cannot describe what a lovely guy he was. Absolutely shocked."
A long tribute message on the Hyperdub Facebook ended with: “His Hyperdub family will always miss him.”
