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NO MORE: Musician Brown Dash during the 18th MTN Sama awards at Sun City two weeks ago. PHOTO: VELI NHLAPO

Fassie died on May 9, 2005 after a drug overdose.

Yesterday, Brown Dash, real name Simphiwe Mpamile, died at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto where he was admitted on Monday.

His manager Siphiwe Sibisi said: "He just complained about not feeling well and we took him to hospital where he died."

Brown Dash has been in and out of hospital since 2010 when he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

His wife Lunga died last year in May. They had been separated for a while at the time of her death.

His friend, kwaito star Bricks yesterday visited him in hospital before he passed away.

Brown Dash hit the big time alongside then stable-mate at TS Records Mzekezeke in 2002 with a smash hit Phans'komthumzi welanga.

His DJ Cleo-produced debut album Puff 'n Pass from 2003 picked up a Sama nomination, with sophomore album Mthandazo Wabolova grabbing the "Best Kwaito Album" title in 2005.

After his third album, Dashboard, he left TS Records in 2007 amidst financial disputes, and he released the failed album Back2Kasi.

When he was at the 18th Samas in Sun City two weeks ago, many people in the music industry expressed shock at his poor health. He performed at the awards.

He had been living in a commune in Melville, west of Johannesburg, for some time, sharing with Sibisi.

His final performance was when together with Mdu Masilela he went down memory lane at the latter's 40th birthday at DaVinci, Sandton, last Thursday.

There, too, Brown Dash's health became the topic of the night.

But he was quite energetic and seemed to have found a new lease on life showing his shockingly scrawny physique with protruding cheek bones.

In the commune he is alleged to have abused illicit substances despite his poor health.

Robbie Malinga, producer and musician who has been involved with all Brown Dash's projects, said: "I'm speechless. I have no words to describe my grief".

Musician Arthur Mafokate said: "This is obviously shocking. Brown Dash was one of those musicians that kept kwaito raw and real".

Comments

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Sun May 26 09:45:17 SAST 2013 ::

May 10, 2012

parkzola

Haa bafethu''Phantsi komthunzi welanga seng'blome nabangane bam''You may be gone Dashnana but you'll never be forgotten sonny.RIP bosso.
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May 10, 2012

19851014

Look @ his face. HIV i doubt. Hloka pelaelo re morago le rena.
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May 10, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

Eish!!!! Yai asi pheli!! Yha asi phele!! Tse bohloko ha di feli re phela le tsona!!!
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May 10, 2012

Lesoba-Le-Boya

RIP Dash
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May 10, 2012

Dalashishi

Although he was sick he didnt seem that frail, RIP ndoda ukufa ingubo ezombathwa yiwonke umuntu. That track he collaborated with nhlanhla nciza is my favourite.
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May 10, 2012

19851014

AIDS e sa tlo fetsa batho mo. Re sa tla goba MABU MABUNG, LEROLE MAROLENG. Ge e le naga yona e tlo hloka bodulo bakeng sa dirapa. Ithobalele ka khutso samma.
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May 10, 2012

Lee-Ann

@19851014- i agree with u. his face on this pic is telling a serious story. Shame man, may his soul rest in peace. It seems like we are losig more celebs from this z3.
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May 10, 2012

Stillwater

RIP Dash.
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May 10, 2012

H-BEE

Sad loss indeed:( RIP Dash:(
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May 10, 2012

truthhurt

HIV is a killer sham! Look out for Somizi! Is this where we are all going mara?
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