Malaysian music producer and deejay Joe Siva dies

At Valentine Sound Production, Joe Siva helped to broaden the label’s roster of acts beyond hip hop and dance. In the 1990s, he went on to scout, sign and license independent releases, most notably the early recordings by Cromok, Slumscums, Sil Khannaz, Carburetor Dung, Xtroverts, Suffercation, Lost Souls and Subculture. Photo: The Star

Joe Siva, a pioneer in the Malaysian independent music scene, record producer and deejay, died on April 26 after a short battle with lung cancer. He was 61.

Throughout his career, Siva worked to create and establish a solid foothold for homegrown hip hop, club and remix culture in local popular music.