Footwork music pioneer DJ Rashad has died of a suspected overdose in Chicago, local media reports said on Sunday.
Rashad Harden, 35, was discovered unconscious by a friend at his apartment on Saturday, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Police told the newspaper drugs and related paraphernalia were found near his body. A formal autopsy is to be carried out later on Sunday.
Footwork is an offshoot of house music, notable for elaborate rhythms played at high tempo which has given rise to a frenetic dance style of its own.
Harden was a key figure within the footwork music scene, his music including the hits Feelin and She A Go from his 2013 album Double Cup.
His death is the second involving a major figure from Chicago's legendary music scene following that of house music godfather Frankie Knuckles on April 1 at the age of 59.
