House music pioneer Rhano Burrell of the Burrell Brothers has died
Tributes for the legendary house music innovator, one-half of the legendary Burrell Brothers and a key figure in shaping the Nu Groove sound, have poured in, with a GoFundMe launched to honour his life and legacy.
Date published: 6th Nov 2025
House producer Rhano Burrell, one-half of the influential Burrell Brothers, has passed away. The news was confirmed on the Burrell Brothers Entertainment Group Instagram page, where a tribute saaid, “For the very first time in my life… I’m lost.” No cause of death has been made public.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Rhano - real name Ronald Burrell - helped lay the foundations for New York’s deep house scene alongside his brother during the late 1980s. Before shaping underground dance floors, the twins honed their craft in gospel music and formed their first band, Inner Spirit, at just 13. Their early success in local talent competitions caught the attention of Virgin Records, leading to the release of their debut album Burrell in 1988.
The brothers went on to become central figures at Nu Groove Records, a label synonymous with the golden era of New York house. Rhano recorded under several aliases, including Aphrodisiac, Equation, K.A.T.O., and Grey Area, producing acclaimed tracks such as “Song of the Siren” and “Just Before Dawn.” Their work helped define the soulful, bass-driven sound that became synonymous with Nu Groove and inspired a generation of producers.
By the mid-1990s, the Burrell Brothers had expanded into pop and hip-hop production, continuing to shape the sound of modern club music behind the scenes. Rhano’s final solo release, the You’re in Da House EP under his Strait 2 DAT alias, arrived on Nervous Records in 2010.
In a statement, Nu Groove Records paid tribute: “Rhano helped shape the sound of Nu Groove and the foundation of New York house. His spirit and music will live on forever.”
Rhano’s wife, Caprice Burrell, has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support funeral costs and preserve his legacy. Fans and peers have shared messages of love and respect for one of house music’s true pioneers.
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