Tributes paid after death of Chicago House producer DANNN: “Fly high”

Chicago house producer DANNN, real name Daniel Brookman, has died.

Resident Advisor reported the news after receiving confirmation of his death from his family. As of yet, a cause of death has not been disclosed publicly.

Brookman released his last album, ‘The Slightest Dreadful Electricity’, on July 31, but his career began over a decade ago – he released his official debut, ‘Interludes’, in 2013. Throughout his career, he worked with sounds from house, R&B, and new jack swing, and become more experimental in recent years. In 2022, he worked with fellow Chicago musician Ariel Zetina on her album ‘Cyclorama’.

He handled all of his own album artwork, and was involved with the venue Hidden Dog, a big part of the Chicago underground scene – he welcomed the likes of Kelela, FKA twigs and Hudson Mohawke to the space.

The label Trax Couture, which worked with Brookman a number of times, released a statement on August 2. It said: “Way too soon, can barely process it. It’s been the greatest honour to have seen your undeniable talent released into this world…Your music will be cherished and live on forever!”

Zetina paid tribute too, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “RIP DANNN, one of the Cyclorama collaborators, production genius, and if you were at this Kelela show in Pilsen in 2014 where she was freestyling over the sickest unreleased cut4me remixes – what a moment in time. They don’t make a lot of ppl like Dan, listen to his discography.”

RIP DANNN, one of the Cyclorama collaborators, production genius, and if you were at this kelela show in pilsen in 2014 where she was freestyling over the sickest unreleased cut4me remixes- what a moment in time

they dont make a lot of ppl like dan, listen to his discography https://t.co/MEsnZ0ekna

— Um, Earth To Ariel Zetina! (@arielzetina) August 1, 2024

Steve N. Hoffman, who has worked at Resident Advisor and Night Logistics in Chicago, said on Facebook: “On a sombre note, Chicago lost a real one this week. I myself, and many others share fond and profound memories of cutting teeth with Daniel Brookman in the 2014-18 era of the city’s DIY club scene. Those times were deeply pivotal and irreplaceable and so was DANNN himself. Fly high.”

You can listen to ‘The Slightest Dreadful Electricity’ here, too.

R.I.P @dan_n_n

Way too soon, can barely process it.

It’s been the greatest honor to have seen your undeniable talent released into this world.

Loved working on all the releases, geeking out on old vinyl from Kstarke, Street fighter hi hat pattns.❤️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/DiipeDI8CL

— Rushmore (@rushmoreroyale) August 2, 2024

Yo I just heard Daniel Brookman (he went by DANNN) died recently and I’m rly so heartbroken 💔😔 RIP to a real one

— TESSY HELLBITCH (@_djgirl) August 1, 2024