Mexico City DJ Priest Dies at Age 43

No cause of death has been disclosed for Francisco Manzano aka Priest at the time of writing.

Mexico City DJ and producer Priest has passed away. He lived to be 43 years old and had accomplished a great deal over the course of his career in dance music.

No cause of death is widely known for Priest (real name Francisco Manzano) at the time of writing. News of his passing was shared by Tommy Hart, Manzano’s close friend and collaborator on the duo project, Sex Shop Boys.

“My heart is broken in a thousand pieces because my best friend, creative confidante, musical collaborator, and big brother left us so suddenly and so soon, and with so much love left to give,” reads Hart’s Instagram post. “I’ve never known grief like this before. Everyday I go to bed thinking there can’t possibly be anymore tears left to cry, and everyday I wake up weeping because you are gone.”

Also mourning Manzano was Mexican actress and singer Maria Chacon. “There are things that I will never understand,” reads an English translation of her Instagram post. “This is one of them and I am never going to hug you again. But I will always remember you like this, dancing and with that beautiful smile that was so yours, making everyone around you happy.”

American Post notes that Francisco Manzano dabbled in music since the age of five, arriving at dance music by way of queer parties during his time in the fashion industry. He moved to Milan early on in his career as a producer, struggling at first but then becoming well connected in European nightlife.

Manzano was a well-known figure in Mexico City’s LGBTQIA+ community. He was a resident at queer house and techno party series such as [sic] Community Club and Discoteca, and he even performed at the Dallas stop of Beyoncé‘s Renaissance World Tour in 2023.

No details of a public memorial have been shared for Francisco Manzano aka Priest at the time of writing. We here at EDM Identity extend our sincere condolences to his friends and loved ones during this difficult time.