Saint Lucian producer and Dennery Segment innovator G6 shot dead aged 25

Saint Lucian producer G6, real name Dayne Felix, has died at the age of 25 after succumbing to gunshot wounds in the morning of October 6.

Felix was considered a pioneer in the Saint Lucian kuduro scene. The genre, also known as Dennery segment, draws inspiration from soca, zouk and kuduro, combining it with Saint Lucian drums and Kwéyòl vocals.

His work with Denzel Hutchinson as 'G6 Productions' on hits like 'Pa Ka Chanje', 'Beng 'Beng' and 'From De Back' built up a reputation that went far beyond the East-Caribbean island. Since news of his passing, NTS resident Foreigner dedicated his latest show to the late Dennery segment producer.

Felix's passing comes months after talented Saint Lucian artist Messi Laurent, who collaborated with G6 Productions for some of Dennery segment's most iconic tracks, was killed in July. The island has been marred by gang violence, with the murder of Dayne Felix marking the 66th homicide this year.

Hutchinson, G6's uncle and G6 Productions partner, told Loop that gun violence "is not something that can just disappear."

"Nobody from the community wants this. We have tried all that we can to change it, but unfortunately, it is something that is difficult to address," he added.

According to his uncle, Felix had was not involved with any gang or criminal activity, and was shot on his way to work. He was shot around 7:20AM by an unknown assailant, and later pronounced dead at the Owen King EU Hospital.

"It is extremely tough because he just lost his brother not too long ago, in fact, Friday will be the anniversary of his death, so it is a tough pill to swallow losing them around the same period," said Hutchinson.

Speaking about Felix's musical impact and innovation, he added: "Many of the Dennery Segment songs were produced by him long before the genre was trending. He brought out a new style in terms of our own music. I recall we sat down to work on a BPM that most producers would never think of, trying to make our local music stand out, and all of them became hits."

Felix leaves behind his friends and family, including a four-year-old son, on top of a substantial impact to the Dennery segment genre.

[via: Loop]

Tibor Heskett is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter