Twentytwo13

Fans and industry mourn passing of DJ Nesh

DJ Nesh

It was supposed to be one big reunion.

Instead, fans of Naresh Manonmani, popularly known as DJ Nesh, were left shocked following his sudden demise hours before he was to perform at One Big Reunion 2019 at Marini’s on 57 in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Nesh was 43 and is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Long-time house mate and friend Terence Paul, also known as T Boy, was with Nesh when he drew his last breath.

“There was nothing peculiar. Nesh went for his workout and I had just returned from the airport,” recalled Paul.

“We had a chat about (last night’s) event and I was to send him to the nearby LRT station for him to get to the venue. We were talking like usual, him being himself when suddenly he started sweating a lot.

“I asked him if he was all right and Nesh insisted he was fine and just wanted something to eat. Just before we reached the station, he threw up and passed out. I rushed him to the hospital but it was too late.”

Paul, who is a year younger than Nesh, said he has lost someone dear to him.

“We’ve known each other since I was 19. And we remained good friends since. He was a big sneaker head.

“He had a big heart and was like my blood.”

Nesh made his name at Petaling Jaya club DV8 in the 90s.

Former deejay and colleague Pietro Felix said Nesh was the R&B king during his DV8 days.

“That’s where he started and never looked back. He was passionate about his trade, about R&B and hip-hop,” said Felix.

“Not many people know this but Nesh tried singing as well, and he was an incredible singer.”

Felix described Nesh as a “good guy who never had a beef with anyone”.

“All the deejays loved him. He was skilful on the decks. What made him good was that he always practised and that always kept him on the top of his game.

“Nesh was a genuine guy.”

Nesh’s passion for the entertainment scene was evident since school as he used to be the DJ during Teachers Day before hitting shopping malls.

Besides DV8, Nesh was also a pioneer deejay at Citadel, Laundry Bar and Euphoria. He also played at Ministry of Sound, Taipei and Metro City in Perth.

DJ Nesh