Durban - Tributes have been pouring in on social media for popular Durban deejay Kevin Naidoo who died on Friday.
Naidoo, 47, who went by the stage name Kevin Rebellious, suffered a heart attack and died at his home in Phoenix.
Naidoo rose in the local club scene in the early 90s before making a name on radio, with stints on Lotus FM and East Coast Radio.
Rebel Ravi P, his close friend and mentor, said till the day before he died Kevin kept people happy doing what he did best.
"His passing is a massive loss to the industry and his family and friends. I knew him since he was in high school when he wanted to become a DJ. I had a DJ school and Kevin was one of my students at Club Creations. He became my brother and friend.
“He became a big name as a DJ and won a number of deejaying competitions. He was a superb rapper in various languages and a powerful master of ceremonies," he said.
Rebel Ravi P said Naidoo had reached the pinnacle of his work.
"He tried hard, was a rebellious person, and put his mind to everything he did. He made everybody proud around him, family and friends," he said.
A day before his death, Naidoo posted a video on Facebook informing his fans that he would be taking a break.
"Kevin had suffered a mild heart attack in late November. He was one of the first deejays to start online streaming when Covid started. He was also involved in charity work. He wanted to take a break due to health problems and to restructure his radio station, realign and come back on air," he said.
One of the messages on social media read: "Rip Kevin Rebellious, I wished that this information was wrong. It’s a great loss to the industry. Whenever we spoke on a phone, it would mean we were going to talk for a while. His values and heart was in the right place, and just watching his last stream, I kind of felt it was his way of saying good bye as he made mention of him taking a short break and that he will be back."
Another wrote: "A club & radio DJ who loved his craft, fans, friends and family. Glad we got to share the decks many years ago at the Silver Slipper night club in Chatsworth, #Durban and in 2018 at Clubside in #Johannesburg. He was blessed with so much talent and love."
RIP LEGEND 🙌 it is with great sadness that we bid Farewell so suddenly to my really good long time friend and Dj brother. East Coast Radio, Lotus FM, Countless clubs, competitions etc. A true dj legend of our time and an amazing guy. We will miss you bro 😭 #KevinRebellious pic.twitter.com/zos6fpSmEA
— Dj Wes Reddy (@djwesreddy) February 19, 2021
R.I.P #KevinRebellious we will miss the good vibes you gave us when we are down and stuck in our homes during lockdown. Thank you for the great memories you have provided. Until we meet again🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/Blk9UEAxdP
— Nikyle Bisnath (@Nik_Bisnath) February 20, 2021
Naidoo will be laid to rest on Monday at the Mobeni Heights Crematorium. He is survived by his wife, Jennell Naidoo, and children Christian and Bella.