The North American dance community is in mourning, following the death of Orlando’s beloved Big Makk yesterday, with a report in Orlando Weekly indicating the 22-year-old DJ/producer died when a Dodge Charger carrying three passengers crashed into a tree.
Signed to Mad Decent and famed as an early innovator of the moonbathon sound, Big Makk was also part of the collective known as the Orlando Moombahton Mafia , alongside comrades Dr. Khan and Ma-LESS . The trio showcased their sound regularly at their Shake ‘n Bass residency at Backbooth every Sunday night.
“He had three dreams for his music career,” manager Matt Denuzzo said in a statement to Billboard yesterday. “Collaborating with Mr. Carmack , Bassnectar , & Kanye West . He did a track with Carmack and worked on Bassnectar's last album, so I can tell you he was really happy with his career so far. Just missing Kanye West.”
Big Makk was scheduled to play EDC Orlando in November, though calls have been ringing out across Twitter for his set to be replaced with an appearance by the remaining Orlando Moombahton Mafia crew. For those who want to pay their respects, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family cover the costs of the funeral.
Meanwhile, tributes have been flooding in from his colleagues in the dance industry, some of which you can read below.
Rest in peace to Florida’s own @BIGMAKK_ ❤️ Me & the Insomniac team were hyped to see you... https://t.co/f4YnaNOVEE pic.twitter.com/Ro6BzwFUNZ
— Pasquale Rotella (@PasqualeRotella) August 30, 2016
Deeply saddened by this mornings news. RIP @BIGMAKK_ , you'll be extremely missed.
— MAD DECENT (@maddecent) August 29, 2016
There was a lot of respect between us. Such a great human being. You will be missed and remembered RIP @BIGMAKK_
— TCHAMI (@iamTchami) August 30, 2016
We lost an amazing person today.Loved by so many & will b missed by everyone RIP @BIGMAKK_ Mellogang donate if u can https://t.co/WLrR8w7fHP
— marshmello (@marshmellomusic) August 30, 2016
Rest in peace @BIGMAKK_ , the world lost a great one today. Learn more about Sam’s legacy: https://t.co/UIo72cTiXG pic.twitter.com/lOKlx699CE
— OWSLA (@OWSLA) August 29, 2016
The first time I ever left home for tour one of the first ppl I met was @BIGMAKK_ ... dude was such a sweetheart...
— JAUZ (@Jauzofficial) August 29, 2016
My team and I lost an incredible artist and human being today... Love you man gonna be in tears for our upcoming show @BIGMAKK_
— CRIZZLY (@CRIZZLY) August 29, 2016
Very saddened to hear of the death of our friend @BIGMAKK_ #ripbigmakk
— ZEDS DEAD (@whoszed) August 29, 2016
