| Leon Botha | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 4 June 1985 Cape Town, South Africa |
| Died | 5 June 2011 (aged 26) Cape Town |
| Occupation | Painter, entertainer |
| Years active | 2007–2011 |
Leon Botha (4 June 1985 – 5 June 2011)[1] was a South African hip hop artist and DJ, as well as one of the world's oldest survivors of progeria.[2]
Biography [edit]
Botha was born in Cape Town, South Africa and lived there until his death. He was diagnosed with progeria around the age of 4 years. He had no formal training in art beyond high school courses, but became a full-time painter after graduation, doing commissioned works.
In 2005, Botha successfully underwent heart bypass surgery to prevent a heart attack due to progeria-related atherosclerosis.[3] In January 2007, Botha had his first solo art exhibition, entitled "Liquid Sword; I am HipHop", revolving around hip-hop culture as a way of life.[4] It took place at the Rust-en-Vrede (which translates to Peace and Quiet) gallery in Durbanville and was opened by Mr Fat of the South African Hip Hop group Brasse Vannie Kaap.[5] His second solo exhibition opened in March 2009 and featured pieces of the artist's life. Botha was asked if the title "Liquid Swords; Slices of Lemon" referred to the adage "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Botha said no, adding, "Lemons? I slice 'em and serve 'em back!"[6]
In January 2010 he hosted the first exhibit of "Who Am I? ...Transgressions", a photo collaboration with Gordon Clark, at the João Ferreira Gallery in Cape Town.[7] Botha said of the exhibition, "I am a spiritual being, the same as you, primarily. Then I'm a human being and this part of the human being is the body, which has a condition."[8]
Botha was also engaged in deejaying and turntablism under the name DJ Solarize.[9] He was featured alongside Watkin Tudor Jones, aka Ninja, in the music video "Enter the Ninja" from Die Antwoord.[10]
In November 2010, Botha suffered a stroke.[11] Botha died from complications of progeria in Cape Town one day after his 26th birthday.[12]
References [edit]
- ^ Staff report (6 June 2011). Die Antwoord-video-=365&fSetId=251 Catch hip-hop and its elements in all their glory. Tonight (South Africa)
- ^ Staff report (14 January 2010). Transcend and Transgress, Mail & Guardian
- ^ Sampson, Lin (17 October 2009). "Coming of Age: Cover Story", The Times (South Africa)
- ^ van Zyl, Peter (11 January 2007). Art from my hip-hop heart. YOU
- ^
- Scholtz, Vennessa (18 January 2007). Leon uses the paintbrush as a 'weapon.' Tygertalk
- Harris, Simone. Leon Botha: Time to work. HYPE magazine (South Africa)
- ^ Peters, Melanie (11 April 2009). Progeria victim finds life in art. Independent on Saturday, South Africa
- ^ Clifford-Holmes, Lauren (15 January 2010). The Fibre of Reality, Mail & Guardian
- ^ Clark, Gordon, and Leon Botha (2010). "Who Am I? ...Transgressions" via YouTube
- ^
- Music (6 June 2011). Leon Botha Passes at 26 Years Young. Dont Party
- Barshad, Amos (2 March 2010). Mysterious Internet Sensation Die Antwoord on Why They’re For Real, Maybe. New York (accessed 20 March 2010).
- ^
- Niesner, Chase (19 February 2010). Thank God for Die Antwoord. Yale Daily News
- Jardin, Xeni (3 February 2010). Die Antwoord, S. African zef-rap, and Progeria survivor Leon Botha. Boing Boing
- Barna, Ben (26 August 2010). Straight Outta Cape Town, Die Antwoord Invades America. BlackBook
- Marchese, David (August 2010). Breaking Out: Die Antwoord, p. 50 SPIN.
- ^
- Morris, Christopher (June 7, 2011). DJ Leon Botha dies at 26. Variety
- Staff report (6 June 2011). Local artist dies. iAfrica
- ^
- Staff report (6 June 2011). Die Antwoord collaborator Leon Botha dies, age 26. Mail & Guardian
- Aboobaker, Shanti (June 7, 2011). Cape DJ dies of Progeria. Independent Online
External links [edit]
- Leon Botha's profile via africanhiphop.com
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