Kenny Hawkes

It is with a sad heart that we received the news of the passing of long time friend, artist and confidant, Kenny Hawkes. Known affectionately as "The Dark Lord Of House", Kenny made a huge contribution to the house music scene, through his involvement with the London radio station Girls FM, and his regular Wednesday night sessions at London's Bar Rhumba (along with friend and fellow DJ Luke Solomon) called Space.

It was at Space where our relationship with Kenny began, a huge mutual appreciation of the same music and style helped the fledgeling NRK DJ Agency spread it's wings. Kenny would go through our roster, and with ease would rattle off the names of DJs he would like to come and play Space. And so the likes of Nick Holder, Angel Moraes, Gemini, Dimitri From Paris, Steve Silk Hurley, Ian Pooley, Sirus, The Stickmen and so many more all made their appearances at Bar Rhumba, alongside firm favourites like Derrick Carter, Sneak etc. Kenny was always hugely supportive of our agency and record label, and we reciprocated the love whenever possible, adding Kenny to our roster for DJ bookings, and ultimatley getting him onto the label (remixing the classic "Every Now & Then" by Ralph Falcon, and mixing the 17th installment of our nite:life series).

Kenny would continue to make his mark in the capital city, with his involvement in the legendary Fridays R Firin sessins at the original Oxford Street location of Plastic People, along with Sub Club's DJ Harri. And of course, his music production career took off in fine style, with releases on Paper Recordings, Luxury Service, 2020 Vision and Music For Freaks. DJ spots around the world, and a knack for doing his thing his own way, Kenny never towed the line musically, making music that so reflected his personality and wicked sense of humour.

Kenny moved back to his native Brighton a few years back where he continued his involvement in the music scene. I personally invited him down to Bristol an a number of occassions to DJ, I know that he always had an affinity to the city and was well liked by the gang down here. I always ensured we had a good time when he was down, and he wholeheartedly got involved in the makings of a super night, always having us in fits of laughter with his wicked and imaginative sense of humour, which will be very much missed now. And the music kept on flowing with various tracks he had been working on making their way to me for my listening pleasure.

Our thoughts and wishes go out to Kenny's family and friends, but we take great comfort knowing that we are left behind with so many special memories and recorded music from Kenny that will ensure that his spirit lives on. RIP Kenny xx