DJ Dimplez passed away last weekend (6th March) as confirmed by his family in a statement they released, included below.
The twenty-eight-year-old DJ suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage which was provided as the cause of death by his family.
Born Tumi Mooi, the DJ founded YouTube channel ‘PopCast’ in which hip-hop news is discussed, hosted by Ms Cosmo and Scoop Makhathini. The most popular video on the channel is their interview with Uncle Vinny, nineteen-year-old South African MC, dancer, MTV Base VJ and former Hillbrow radio presenter.
DJ Dimplez also founded Pop Bottles Entertainment in 2008, a popular source of hip-hop events and DJ performances, as well as offering opportunities to socialise and network in South Africa. The brand’s stated goal is to focus on ‘the development and upliftment of the Hip-Hop culture within South Africa, ultimately connecting people through music.’ Pop Bottles has put on events both locally in Johannesburg and across South Africa, as well as in England and Mauritius. DJ Dimplez’ creative vision led to Pop Bottles being voted South Africa’s Number One Hip Hop Experience at the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 South African Hip Hop Awards.
Dimplez’s 2014 track ‘Amatombazane Remix’ features late South African rap star Riky Rick. Less than two weeks ago it was announced that Riky Rick had taken his own life after struggling for years with depression. Riky Rick’s hit single ‘Nafukwa’, released the same year as their remix, elevated the rapper’s career after winning him an MTV Africa Music Award for Video of the Year and a wider audience. Watch the official music video of the duo’s collaboration which has gained nearly three million views here.
Upon the announcement of DJ Dimplez’ passing, tributes appeared across social media. Slikour, media personality and founder of urban music online platform ‘SlikourOnLife’, paid tribute through Twitter.
Sizwe Dhlomo, 702 radio presenter in Johannesburg, also lamented the loss of Dimplez.