Acclaimed Tongan DJ dies [1]
Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 17:30
An internationally recognised Tongan-born music producer in New Zealand, 43 year-old Soane Filitonga Watkins passed away last Sunday November 9, after suffering a heart attack at his home in Takapuna.
Also known as DJ Big Daddy, the Vava’u bred Soane started as a DJ in 1989 and is credited as one of the early pioneers of New Zealand Hiphop. Soane performed on tours in Australia, United Kingdom and Europe.
Soane was influential in the New Zealand music scene, having worked with notable New Zealand artists such as OMC, Che Fu, Scribe and King Kapisi. Tributes have already flowed in from various musicians on social media.
Although relatively unknown in Tonga, DJ Big Daddy is one of the most recognised and acclaimed Tongan musicians in New Zealand.