Stephen Samuel Gordon (17 June 1970[1] – 2 October 2014), known as The Spaceape, was a British poet and MC. He is known for his work on the electronic music label Hyperdub, and in particular for his frequent collaborations with labelmate Kode9. He was described by The Guardian as "a pioneering Hyperdub artist,"[2] while Pitchfork Media stated that "if first-wave UK dubstep had a voice, it belonged to Stephen Gordon."[3]

The Spaceape
The Spaceape performing with Kode9 at Mutek in 2007
The Spaceape performing with Kode9 at Mutek in 2007
Background information
Birth nameStephen Samuel Gordon
Also known asDaddy Gee
Born(1970-06-17)17 June 1970
United Kingdom
Died2 October 2014(2014-10-02) (aged 44)
GenresElectronic, dubstep, spoken word
Occupation(s)Musician, vocalist, poet
LabelsHyperdub
Websitehyperdub.com

Gordon died on 2 October 2014 at the age of 44, following a battle with a rare form of cancer.

Career edit

Gordon was involved with much of the earliest music released by pioneering dubstep label Hyperdub, run by friend and frequent collaborator Steve Goodman a.k.a. Kode9. Throughout his career, he also collaborated with Burial, The Bug, Martyn, Redshape, Dub Gabriel, the Echologist, Jerry Dammers, Spatial AKA Orchestra, and Junior Boys.[2][4][5][6]

According to Pitchfork, "[the] Spaceape lent his ten-ton doomsayer croak to dozens of definitive works of music and was positioned as the Linton Kwesi Johnson of the post-7/7, surveillance-state UK."[3]

Personal life edit

Gordon was married with one daughter.[4][5] He died on 2 October 2014 from a rare form of cancer.[2][4][5][6]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

EPs edit

  • Xorcism (Hyperdub, 2012)
  • Killing Season (with Kode9) (Hyperdub, 2014)

References edit

  1. ^ Melissa Bradshaw, "The Spaceape obituary", The Guardian, 24 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Jerry Dammers pays tribute to late Hyperdub MC the Spaceape". The Guardian. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b Pitchfork – Kode9 & the Spaceape: Killing Season
  4. ^ a b c Joe Lynch (2 October 2014). "Hyperdub's The Spaceape Has Died". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Dan Stubbs (3 October 2014). "Hyperdub artist The Spaceape, aka Stephen Samuel Gordon, dies of rare form of cancer". NME. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  6. ^ a b Jeremy Gordon (2 October 2014). "Hyperdub Vocalist the Spaceape Has Died". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 October 2014.

External links edit