Arunachal Pradesh DJ and Producer DJ Bom Passes Away
Bom Tayeng, in his mid-30s, was one of the leading hip-hop turntablists in North East India, working with rappers such as Feyago and K4 Kekho
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh DJ, turntablist and producer DJ Bom aka Bom Tayeng. Photo: Tom Meitei
DJ, turntablist and producer Bom Tayeng died earlier today in a road accident in his native Arunachal Pradesh, according to reports. The artist, in his mid-30s, was among the leading figures in hip-hop in Arunachal as well as North East, performing at festivals like Ziro Festival of Music, Orange Festival of Adventure and Music, Bacardi NH7 Weekender Meghalaya and others across the region over the span of nearly a decade.
Hailing from Mebo in the East Siang District, Bom went to Chennai to study civil engineering but soon found his calling in DJing, turntablism and hip-hop production, which led to a course at the Skratchlab DJ Academy in Chennai. Bom told Arunachal Times in 2012, “Since my childhood, I loved music. I love everything about music and then gradually I took interest in the DJs of popular rock bands. Those magical stuffs they do with the beats drove me crazy and later I decided to become a DJ.”
A regular part of festivals such as Ziro and Dambuk – presiding over high-energy after-parties as well as sets – Bom also worked with artists such as Kolkata hip-hopper Feyago and Itanagar’s Hindi-English rapper K4 Kekho, being a live DJ for the latter across shows. Kekho and Bom also collaborated on their 2019 single “Yoksa,” which has garnered over 900,000 views on YouTube.
While Kekho announced online regarding the passing of “my brother”, Feyago took to social media to write in detail about his longstanding friendship with Bom. “Still not sure what to say, still in shock. Writing this with a lump in my throat. Strange, sad day. Yes, you’re the coolest, kindest, funniest, most talented and successful turntablist in the seven sisters. Yes, you introduced club culture and hip-hop in the entire Arunachal Pradesh.” Terming it a “personal loss” as well as a loss to Arunachal Pradesh and the “entire Indian festival community,” Feyago recounted a smiling and humorous characteristic to Bom, who also trained young musicians and acted as mentor. “May you rest forever in peace and strength and happiness. Your music and your legacy will remain forever,” Feyago added in his tribute.
In addition to DJing across cities and regularly in Arunachal clubs, Bom was also resident DJ at Itanagar club UNO Tribe. On April 16th, he took to his turntable station for a virtual charity gig to raise funds for victims of the Longliang fire in March, which claimed two lives and gutted hundreds of homes.
Watch the video for DJ Bom and K4 Kekho’s “Yoksa.”
