Khia Edgerton, a pioneering DJ who as "K-Swift" became one of Baltimore's top radio personalties and a major player in the local music scene, died early yesterday morning after a pool accident at her home. She was 29.
Through her popular radio show, which attracted thousands of listeners each night, and frequent live performances, Ms. Edgerton helped reinvigorate and reintroduce the aging genre of Baltimore Club music to a younger generation of listeners. For local artists, a spin on K-Swift's 92Q radio show meant instant recognition.
Known as the "Club Queen," Ms. Edgerton brought a distinct style of music known as Baltimore Club to cities up and down the East Coast through her live shows. Driven but modest, she excelled in a scene traditionally dominated by men.
"She pushed the Baltimore Club scene on her own," said Ultra Nate, a Baltimore-based dance artist and international DJ. "You don't find that kind of confidence in a lot of women DJs."
Defined by abrasive beats and vulgar vocal tracks, Baltimore Club surfaced in the late '80s. It has never found mainstream success, but it has a sizable fan base in Europe, where Ms. Edgerton planned to tour later this year.
"She had an enormous following and meant a lot to the people of Baltimore," said Howard Mazer, 92Q's general manager. "People just gravitated to her. ... When she threw parties, thousands of people would come."
Yesterday, station managers replaced the usual on-air DJ banter with a recording urging listeners to phone the station and leave memories of Ms. Edgerton. By the end of business hours, the station had received thousands of calls, e-mails and message board posts on its Web site.
"It's like a nightmare ... It's like she's part of my family," one caller told the station. "Your memory will live on. We'll never let it die," read another message.
The cause of death has not been determined, but Baltimore police spokesman Donny Moses said alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.
According to police, Ms. Edgerton hosted a party at her northeast Baltimore house from Sunday evening and into early yesterday morning.
Sometime during the party, Ms. Edgerton jumped into a shallow above-ground pool, but she didn't resurface. Her friends later pulled her onto a metal-frame deck that adjoined the pool and called 911. She was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.
