The sudden death of Baltimore DJ K-Swift sent shockwaves through the city?s music community Monday, as friends and supporters grappled with the tragic loss of one of the city?s best known radio personalities.
Police said Swift, 29, drowned in her own pool during a party at her northeast Baltimore home Sunday evening.
Swift ? whose real name is Khia Edgerton ? dove into the pool after drinking, according to police. Partygoers apparently did not notice she did not resurface. Pulled from the pool by friends, Swift did not respond to CPR and was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy before ruling on her death, but do not suspect foul play.
“Tragically it looks like a freak accident,” said Nicole Monroe, spokesman for Baltimore Police Department.
Swift was one of best known purveyors of home-grown music called “Baltimore Club,” a unique concoction of house music and hip-hop that recently garnered critical acclaim and popularity on the international club scene.
Several national publications ? including the defunct Spin magazine ? featured Swift prominently, extolling her gifts as a skilled technician on the turntables as well an energetic presence who could move the dance floor.
“She was special because she was more than just a DJ, she was role model for young people. They looked up to her,” said Nikki Howse, program director for 92Q, the Baltimore radio station where Swift earned her fame.
“I watched her grow from being a DJ, to a mixer, to a business woman and finally someone who gave back to the community. She was simply special.”
As the primary host of 92Q?s evening mix show from 6-10 p.m. on weekdays, Swift also became a taste maker, being the first to play many local records that she would then compile into popular mix CDs.
Shawn Caesar, one of Baltimore Club?s pioneer producers and owner of Unruly Records, which released 14 albums by Swift, said she never let her musical fame go to her head.
“She was a better person than she was a DJ,” Ceaser said in a telephone interview Monday. “And she was a legendary DJ.”
