Dax Pierson, the pioneering experimental hip-hop and electronic musician, has passed away at the age of 54. The news was confirmed by California’s Dark Entries label, which released Pierson’s 2021 album Nerve Bumps (A Queer Divine Dissatisfaction) in collaboration with Ratskin Records. The cause of death has not been immediately disclosed.
Pierson, a beloved figure in the Bay Area music scene, had been vocal about his ongoing health struggles after a life-changing car accident in 2005. The accident left him paralyzed from the chest down and severely impaired his ability to use his fingers, significantly affecting his music production. Despite this, Pierson adapted by embracing technology, including iPad apps and laptop controllers, which allowed him to continue creating music.
Before his injury, Pierson co-founded the experimental hip-hop collectives Subtle and 13 & God, and was closely associated with the Themselves and Anticon labels. His instrumental toolkit included keyboard, autoharp, and the Roland SP-303/404, which became his signature sound. In 2021, Pierson released his first solo album Nerve Bumps, following a 2019 live release Live in Oakland.
Pierson’s Nerve Bumps was inspired by his journey with paralysis, capturing the strange sensations and involuntary movements his body experienced. In a 2021 interview with DJ Mag, Pierson shared that the album’s title came from a playful exchange with his partner, relating to the unexpected spasms and “nerve bumps” he often felt.
His contributions to the experimental and hip-hop music scenes have left an indelible mark, and his resilience continues to inspire many in the music community.
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