Kelli Hand was the ‘The First Lady Of Detroit’.
Techno and house icon Kelli Hand, best known as K-Hand, has died, as confirmed by close friends of the late pioneer. A cause of death has not been yet announced.
Born and raised in Detroit, Hand was one of the most influential artists in electronic music history, with more than three decades of impactful releases and sets. In 2017, Hand was officially recognized as ‘The First Lady Of Detroit’ as she received the city’s Testimonial Resolution certificate, referencing her ‘notable skills within a male-dominated industry.’
Back in 1990, Hand founded the UK House Records label, with her four-track ‘Think About It’ EP becoming the imprint’s first release ever. The liner notes to the EP pay ‘special thanks to Underground Resistance’. Jeff Mills, Mike Banks, Mike Clarke, and Robert Hood all visited her home during its creation, with Clarke and Hood assisting during the mixing and engineering stages.
The label eventually became the revered Acacia Records, growing into a quintessential outlet for house music and techno’s ‘second wave’.
K-Hand also released music across labels such as Warp Records and !K7 Records. It was the latter who put out her ‘Global Warning’ EP and debut album ‘On A Journey’. Other imprints include names such as Tresor, Distance, Ausfahrt, трип, and more.
Remember Kelli Hand by relieving one of her acclaimed sets below.
