The British rapper and producer Jevon has died aged 29. The multi-talented musician is best known for his past collaborations with Pa Salieu, Kojey Radical and Avelino. At present, no cause of death has been confirmed.
Jevon Daniel Ellis spent much of his childhood in West London before relocating to Coventry during his ten years. Although London is known for its thriving rap scene, it was in Coventry where he first delved into music as a vocation.
Ellis garnered significant attention for his work on XL Recordings’ New Gen compilation in 2017. The release offered a platform to showcase emerging talent within London’s rap, R&B, and spoken word scenes. Ellis’s production contributions to the album were instrumental in highlighting the diverse sounds emanating from the city at that time.
Featuring a roster of up-and-coming artists such as Kojey Radical, Avelino, and Tiggs da Author, the New Gen compilation showcased the richness and innovation of London’s musical landscape. Ellis’s involvement in the project not only underscored his prowess as a producer but also consolidated his position within the UK music scene.
Jevon famously collaborated with the British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu, taking on production duties on several tracks on his debut mixtape, Send Them to Coventry, which arrived in November 2020.
Although Jevon had been active in the industry for several years as a collaborating producer and prolific performer, he didn’t release his debut solo album until 2021. Titled Fell In Love With Brazil, the LP showcased exactly what it says on the tin: a British rapper who had recently discovered the Brazilian sounds of bossa nova and samba, incorporating the sounds into his distinctive rapping style.
As we await further information concerning the rapper’s cause of death, several of his past collaborators and friends in the industry have taken to social media to pay their respects.
Short and sweet, Ghetts wrote, “RIP Jevon prayers to you and yours” on Twitter/X. Meanwhile, Scully posted, “Rest in Perfect Peace, Jevon. This year was supposed to be about bringing plans to life, & showing the world your talent. You are one of a kind. Today, we’re running up your music” to the same platform.
See some of the tributes below.