June Reid was the co-founder of Nzinga Soundz, one of the first all-women soundsystems in the UK.
June Reid aka Junie Rankin, a DJ and researcher famous for her role as co-founder of the all-women soundsystem Nzinga Soundz, has passed away at age 67.
Nzinga Soundz broke the news in an Instagram post on Friday, indicating that Reid died on September 12. The collective gave no official cause of death, opting instead to inform the general public of Reid’s celebration of life event on Thursday, October 23 at St Andrews United Reformed Church in London.
“You made a huge impact on your fellow students, your wisdom, experience and sheer presence,” wrote Julian Henriques, Reid’s professor at Goldsmiths University, in his own tribute. “It was such a great pleasure to encourage and guide you through your studies, despite the health challenges you were already bravely facing. You were always so appreciative. Given a little longer, you would have been on to your PhD.”
Reid was born to Jamaican parents, whom she credited for her love of music styles like soca, jazz, and reggae. She founded Nzinga Soundz in the mid-’80s alongside DJ Ade, whom she met while attending Norwood Girls School in Gyspy Hill. It was one of the first all-women soundsystems and remains one of the longest running to this day.
Outside of Nzinga Soundz, Reid was also one of the main members of Sound System Outernational at Goldsmiths. The ongoing initiative “is dedicated to recognising, stimulating and supporting soundsystem culture worldwide,” according to Reid’s bio on Writer’s Mosaic.
We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of June Reid aka Junie Rankin during what can only be a difficult time.
