New Orleans DJ Black N Mild Dead At 44 Following Coronavirus Diagnosis

New Orleans bounce DJ Black N Mild has died at the age of 44, following his coronavirus diagnosis earlier this week, according to Billboard.

Black N Mild, real name Oliver Strokes Jr., was a fixture of the New Orleans bounce scene and built up regional popularity with his radio program dedicated to Nola bounce, “I was the first DJ in Nola history to have a radio mix show dedicated to Nola Bounce from 03-05 (up to Katrina),” Strokes said in a Facebook post last month. Strokes marks the second person in Louisiana to die from coronavirus.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Strokes left New Orleans and moved to Houston, where he continued to work as a radio host, this time at KHOU, as well as perform at bars, clubs, and parties. In addition to his music and radio work, Strokes served as the “in school suspension” coordinator at Arthur Ashe Charter School in Gentilly from July 2019 up until his death. On March 9th, Strokes left school with a fever and did not return, according to Sabrina Pence, the CEO of FirstLine Schools, the charter program which operates Arthur Ashe.

On Thursday, March 19th, Strokes tested positive for coronavirus and died later that same day. He is survived by his four children.

[H/T Billboard]