R.I.P. The Spaceape

Stephen Samuel Gordon has passed away after a long battle with a rare form of cancer.

Vocalist and poet Gordon has become synonymous with Hyperdub over the course of its ten year ascent, announcing the label’s arrival with the Sign Of The Dub collaboration with Kode9 under the Daddi Gee name. That debut Hyperdub release marked the onset of a long running working relationship with label founder Kode9 spanning two albums and several 12″s, whilst the Spaceape vocal delivery has also graced productions from The Bug, Burial and Martyn. Gordon had been battling with the rare Neurolymphamatosis disease for some five years but remained committed to music, with the evening’s sad news of his passing coming soon after Hyperdub announced Killing Season, his latest collaboration with Kode9.

An understandably solemn statement posted on the official Hyperdub Facebook page revealed the sad news and can be read in full below. Our thoughts are with Gordon’s family.

“We are devastated to announce that on Thursday 2nd October, Stephen Samuel Gordon aka The Spaceape, vocalist, poet and live performer, passed away peacefully after a 5 year struggle with a rare form of cancer.

He leaves behind his wife Luciana and 6 year old daughter, Cleo. His first release was the 1st release on Hyperdub, Sine of the Dub in 2004 with Kode9, with whom he also released 2 albums, Memories of the Future (2006) and Black Sun (2011).

In 2012 he also self-released the Xorcism EP, appeared on the track “Spaceape” on Burial’s debut album in 2006, and also collaborated with The Bug, Martyn, Jerry Dammers, Redshape, Dub Gabriel, the Echologist and more. Last Monday he released his new EP with Kode9, Killing Season including the video for “Devil is a Liar” which was filmed in July 2014.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and all who have been touched by his writings and performances. His Hyperdub family will always miss him.”