Published
Tue, Feb 6, 2024, 09:00
- The artist was a resident at local queer party [sic] and one half of Sex Shop Boys with Tommy Hart.
Mexico City DJ and producer Priest, real name Juan Francisco Manzano Sanchez, has died.
The news was announced on Sunday, February 4th, by Tommy Hart, one of Manzano's closest collaborators and his partner in the duo Sex Shop Boys. [sic], a queer house and techno party in Mexico City at which Manzano was a resident, also confirmed his passing. The cause of death has yet to be publicly revealed.
"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces because my best friend, creative confidante, musical collaborator, and big brother left us so suddenly and so soon, and with so much love left to give," Hart posted on Instagram. "I've never known grief like this before."
Manzano was known for his contributions to Mexico City's nightlife scene and LGBTQIA+ communities. He began in the fashion industry, where he discovered club music at queer parties. This inspired him to start producing and to launch the Priest project. As a DJ, he was a resident at popular local venues Discoteca and [sic] Community Club, and he also performed in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and beyond.
"It's been comforting to know that you were loved by so, so many," Hart's post continued. "I'm so lucky to have been in your orbit. You touched people all over the world with your music and your love [...] Nothing felt as right as it did when we were playing together. But I'm going to do my best to make you proud."
Listen to Manzano's 2023 mix for [sic] Community Club, browse his Bandcamp page and read Hart's post in full.
Update, February 6th: This piece was updated to include Priest's full birth name.