(Copied and pasted together in a somewhat random mish-mash from many places around the internet...)

Influential San Francisco DJ and producer Scott "Hardkiss" Friedel passed away Monday night at the age of 43. The cause of death has not been confirmed at this time but is believed to be an aneurysm. It has previously been noted that Hardkiss had keratoconus, a degenerative eye condition that required transplant surgery in 2011, and one of his last social posts a few days ago was about him not feeling well. (Cerebus is adding; it's believed Scott died from an anuerysm.)

A key player in growing the early ‘90s rave scene in San Francisco as one third of the Hardkiss Brothers (along with "spiritual kin" Gavin and Robbie Hardkiss), Scott also had a successful solo career as a DJ and producer. One of his best-remembered tracks is 1993's "Raincry" released under his God Within alias. In the late ‘90s, Scott moved to New York and assumed his full-time persona as Scott Hardkiss, purveyor of pop songs touched with Balearic breakbeats and transcendent funk. He went on to do remixes for artists as varied as Elton John, the Flaming Lips and George Clinton. His debut album Techinicolor Dreamer was released in 2009 and was accompanied by remixes from Christian Prommer, Bjorn Torske, Telepathe and Brennan Green. Scott is remembered as an adventurous collaborator by those that worked with him, including Lisa Shaw, Dean & Britta, and Q-Burn's Abstract Message just to name a few.

In a blog post, Q-Burns (Michael Donaldson) recalls meeting Scott in the early ‘90s when he was shopping around some of his music. "I still remember this sort of hippie-ish thing he said to me then… ‘This isn’t a song … it’s a living being.’ In a follow up email, Q-Burns tells Vibe, "'I bet I'd be a different type of producer and DJ if it weren't for Scott Hardkiss, or maybe not even a DJ as I was more of an indie-rock kid at the start. Scott showed that it was okay to be many things musically at once."

Via email, Derrick Carter remembers Scott for his humanity, as well as for his talent. "Apart from his grand musical tastes, he was a great guy. During one of my early SF adventures, I'd been stiffed by a promoter who'd only bought an outbound ticket for me to play at his party. Scott let me crash on his couch for about a week as I sorted things out. He took me in and treated me like a brother. I'm going to miss having him in this world."

Friedel moved to New York in the late 1990s, where he continued to release music under the name Scott Hardkiss; in 2009, he finally released his debut solo album, Technicolor Dreamer. Taking in a diverse array of electronic styles, the album featured contributions from a wide range of musicians, including Naked Music's Lisa Shaw, Dean & Britta's Britta Phillips, and session players recruited from David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, and George Clinton's backup bands, among others. Earlier this month, Friedel quipped on Facebook: "Justin Timberlake stole half my band! JT snatched up 2 of my featured vocalists from the 'Technicolor Dreamer' live show to back him on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight. Can't blame him, their talent & radiance is undeniable. Congrats to Stephanie Stevvi Alexander & Bobby Harden, you do your thing. One day the phone will ring to come back home & show em what we got. XX Scott Hardkiss."

Among the many DJs posting tributes on Twitter, were Tommie Sunshine,

Kaskade, Sasha, and Frankie Bones. Tommie Sunshine lamented, “the 90’s Raver in me ca not stop crying.” Kaskade added, "Scott Hardkiss changed the way I listened." Frankie Bones noted, "The network of people surrounding Scott Hardkiss are probably the best group of people you could ever meet."

While he was helming Mixer magazine, Big Shot editor Darren Ressler worked with Scott on 2001’s Mixer presents United DJs of America Vol. 17: Scott Hardkiss. “DJ culture as we know it wouldn’t be the same without his contributions or the provocative art he leaves behind." On a personal note, Ressler adds, “My ex actually introduced me to Scott. She knew all of the Hardkiss guys from SF and would tell me stories about their legendary parties. When I finally met him he was like the anti DJ — he didn't dress, act or behave like most of the DJs I've interviewed. Scott reminded me a bit like the comedian Steven Wright (he had a very dry sense of humor).”

Whether you're still shaking off your Miami buzz, or have ever enjoyed EDM, you can thank Scott Hardkiss for helping to push rave culture into the mainstream, not just as trendy commodity, but as a way to look at the world and build a creative life. On his Soundcloud bio, Scott described himself best: “DJ, producer, remixer, composer, arranger, multi-media artist, designer, writer, inventor, label owner, radio host, mercenary shaman, agent provocateur, 21st-century renaissance cat & ill mothafucka.” Looking over his credits and the outpouring of love online, it's impossible to argue. Rave in peace, technicolor dreamer.

Hardkiss (born Scott Friedel), was a founding member of Bay Area trio the Hardkiss Brothers, who gained notoriety for their psychedelic, techno, house and breakbeat-infused remixes and productions, and for their legendary renegade raves.

After moving to NYC in the late '90s, Hardkiss released solo work under the God Within alias, contributing remixes for Elton John, George Clinton, The Flaming Lips and many more.

His eclectic 1997 Essential Mix is considered one of of the series' most groundbreaking, inspiring BBC host Pete Tong to refer to Hardkiss as "California's leading exponent of hot house."

In 2009, Hardkiss released Technicoler Dreamer, his debut solo LP under the Scott Hardkiss alias, which featured an array of talents including Dean & Britta's Britta Phillips, Naked Music's Lisa Shaw and session players from David Bowie, Justin Timberlake and George Clinton's bands.

Hardkiss' passing has inspired an outpouring of sympathy from Bay Area fans and fellow artists alike.

"Scott was a visionary," Bay Area DJ WishFM said of the rave legend. "As long as we knew he always reaching for perfection, the path we took really didn't matter ... and this cool cat attained it all the time. I'll miss my homie dearly."

Peers of acclaimed US DJ/ producer Scott Hardkiss including Josh Wink, the Chemical Brothers and Nick Warren took to Twitter to write eulogies this week, after the San Francisco breakbeat legend died suddenly, aged 43.

“So sad that friend ?#ScottHardkiss has passed on! His music and vivid memories will stay in my heart! ?#RIP:” Josh Wink wrote, echoing Justin Robertson’s poignant reaction.

“This is terrible terrible news, such a great man,” he wrote, “i am so sad, lovely lovely guy RIP Scott.” Justin Robertson

Helping to pioneer America’s West Coast rave scene of the 90s, Scott (real name Scott Friedel) was one of the most popular and critically respected characters in America’s club scene and continued to perform regularly throughout the States. Visiting Miami’s Winter Conference last week he appeared cheerful, tweeting Yeah, ‘WMC, I’ve been here 20 minutes and all I see is a sea of fakers. Think I’ll hop a flight to Havana until its time to play’, adding soon afterwards ‘On second thought I may swim…’

On Facebook, however, he presented a decidedly darker picture of his life in a number on posts including a particularly graphic posting about going blind in one eye, having surgery, then struggling with his sight again after his vision failed again.

“Over a year ago I got corneal transplantation surgery from a recently deceased donor to try to restore vision in my left eye, which had gone blind from a degenerative disease called Keratoconus,” he wrote.

“I’m a little freaked out. But at least I’m alive and at the worst I’ll just probably go back to being blind in on eye. But people who say to me “At least it’s not your ears” do really upset me, they’re thinking about themselves and I would honestly rather see,” he wrote. (Facebook: http://on.fb.me/ZX57An )

Writing last week, he sounded similarly downcast, musing ‘friends…how many of us have them? Friends…ones we can depend on?’ though his Facebook ‘About’ message remained resolutely upbeat.

“Play it from the heart or don’t play it at all. Show some love & enthusiasm or get out of the way & stop wasting our precious time. Stay up. http://on.fb.me/14uGgsq

This is the Essential mix mentioned above...

Wow and you posted stuff about him a few months ago.

RIP

Timmy84 said:

Wow and you posted stuff about him a few months ago.

RIP

I did. All three of the Hardkiss "Brothers" were a huge part of the decade I spent in the underground Bay Area party scene. Pretty bummed.

Cerebus said:

Timmy84 said:

Wow and you posted stuff about him a few months ago.

RIP

I did. All three of the Hardkiss "Brothers" were a huge part of the decade I spent in the underground Bay Area party scene. Pretty bummed.

I feel ya. This is real unfortunate. He was real talented.

Shit, 43.

It's proper shit to lose quality people, seems it's always the gooduns.

He was quality. Thank fuck he left plenty.

Love that btw.