The Hip-Hop world lost a true soldier on March 6th with the untimely and tragic passing of Per Ronge, also known as DJ Devastate. The life of the gifted producer and deejay/turntablist ended far too soon at just 35 years of age, and only a day after he returned home to Sweden from a DJ gig and radio appearance in London.
Devastate’s discography began with his instrumental LP, ‘Movement/Silence,’ which was released in 2009 via BBE Records. Known for his soulful and gritty production aesthetic often layered with precise scratch composition, Devastate’s sound could be best described as obscure and dirty, and steeped in the fundamentals of Jazz and Hip-Hop. Whether it be for his production savvy or skills behind a pair of 1200s, Devastate shared his talents over the years alongside many iconic and mainstay Hip-Hop artists, such as the late Sean Price, Masta Ace, C.L. Smooth, Skyzoo, Planet Asia, El Da Sensei, Wildchild, MED, Baby Blak, Mykill Miers, ADL, Chapee and more.
However, nothing brought more joy to Devastate than collaborating with other producers and musicians. And it was never about the credit. He just wanted to bring his vision to life with the help of other passionate creatives. It was this type of selflessness that not only defined Devastate’s approach to music, but also the way in which he forged strong bonds with a long list of friends and colleagues around the world.
Devastate’s altruistic approach, coupled with his need for balance in an industry that he believed was severed from its roots in Jazz and Soul, served as the cornerstone for his launch of Counterweight Records. The label, which he launched in 2012 alongside his partner, Jonas Hilmersson, is responsible for several well-received releases that showcased Devastate’s talents, while also placing an emphasis on his creative alliance with DJ Create, Max I Million, DJ Connect and Fredrik Segerfalk.
Known by his friends and family for his unyielding loyalty, Devastate was a uniquely beautify soul who used music as a vehicle to touch lives and bring people together. Rest in peace, Devastate, your spirit and your music will live on forever.
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