Reza Gerami, known to the world as DJ Reza, a visionary pioneer who shaped the Los Angeles rave scene and propelled Southern California’s electronic dance music (EDM) culture into the mainstream, passed away unexpectedly this month, with news emerging March 8. He was 51. 

Born in 1974 to an Iranian family that fled the 1979 Islamic Revolution and resettled in Southern California, Gerami came of age in Los Angeles during the early years of the region’s club and rave scene. His journey from a self-taught DJ to an industry icon began in the underground warehouses of the 1990s, where he blended genres like funky house, electro, and breaks, earning him the moniker “Party Rocker.” As the founder of Go Ventures, he revolutionized the scene by organizing massive, licensed events that transitioned raves from illicit gatherings to professional spectacles, influencing the commercial EDM boom.

Gerami’s contributions were monumental. He curated legendary events such as Monster Massive, Together As One and The Love Festival, which drew thousands and featured top international talent. Beyond promotion, he established the Saturday Night Sessions label and event series, championing underground sounds and performing globally, from Los Angeles to international stages. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion for music not only built empires but also inspired generations, leaving his permanent footprint on the global EDM landscape.

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Reza Gerami (GoFundMe/Honoring DJ Reza’s Legacy and Impact)

Tributes poured in from across the music world —

Insomniac founder Pasquale Rotella posted on his Instagram stories, per EDM Identity: “Love you, Reza. You lived life to the fullest and will forever be an iconic figure in US rave history … Your influence will forever be felt in the rave community. You’ll be deeply missed.”

DJ and producer Junior Sanchez gave this tribute post on Instagram: “Rest in peace my brother my dear friend DJ  Reza. A true original and one of the real ones from the early Los Angeles rave days. You were there when this culture was still being built from pure love of the music and the community around it  … Thank you for everything you gave to the culture and to the people around you. You’ll always be part of the heartbeat of those nights and the history we lived through together.”

Gerami is survived by his daughter, Kiki, fiancé Tina, his parents, siblings, and a vast extended family of friends and fans in the EDM community. His legacy endures through the beats he spun, the events he created, and the lives he touched. 

A GoFundMe has been set up to support his daughter: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-dj-rezas-legacy-and-impact

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Reza with friends (Courtesy of Monica Cortez Gaxiola)