Kid Gringo was a fixture of Germany’s dancehall scene and the artist behind Nyege Nyege’s distinctive visual branding.
Mathias Müller aka Kid Gringo, an artist born in Leipzig, Germany and based in Kampala, Uganda, has died of undisclosed causes.
Müller’s partner, Cynthia Ayan, shared the news of his passing from his Instagram account on Thursday, March 27. “With a heavy heart, I share the news that my beloved boyfriend has passed away,” she wrote. “Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.”
Tributes have poured in from Müller’s friends and collaborators in the days since. “‘Even if I die in Africa, at least I will have lived’ is what you said that day we packed all the boxes in your flat because you were leaving Germany for good all those years ago,” wrote German artist Basil Toyo in the comments of the post. “A toast to the life lived! I wish it wouldn’t have been a prophecy.”
Nyege Nyege, the Kampala, Uganda record label and event company for which Müller oversaw visual branding, honored his contributions in a post of its own. “We’re heartbroken by the passing of Kid Gringo —the creative force behind Hakuna Kulala’s visual identity,” it reads. “His bold vision defined not just our aesthetic, but also captured the vibe and energy of so many musicians he worked with since our inception…”
Prior to his move to Uganda, Mathias Müller was credited as a driving force in Germany’s dancehall scene. Lars Vegas wrote that Müller “won the hearts of many fans with his unique style,” noting that “he knew how to combine music, art and emotions.”
We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mathias Müller aka Kid Gringo during what can only be a difficult time.