Czech electronic music legend DJ Tráva (Petr Votava) has died at 60. A true pioneer of Czech techno and house, he shaped Prague’s underground scene and inspired generations of DJs and fans.
The Czech and European electronic music communities are mourning the loss of one of their most influential figures. Petr Votava, known worldwide as DJ Tráva, has died at the age of 60. A founding architect of the Czech techno and house scene, Tráva’s career spanned more than three decades of underground evolution, rebellion, and artistic freedom.
From Punk Rebellion to Electronic Revolution
Born in Domažlice in 1965, Tráva began his musical journey in the 1980s as part of the Czech punk scene. His early years were defined by a spirit of defiance — one that would later fuel his transformation into a pioneer of electronic freedom.
When communism fell in 1989, and the Velvet Revolution opened the doors to cultural exchange, Tráva was among the first to bring Western electronic music to newly liberated Prague. His sets at U Zoufalců, one of the capital’s earliest underground clubs, introduced Czech audiences to the hypnotic pulse of techno and house — genres that embodied the spirit of post-communist liberation.
The Birth of a Movement
By the early 1990s, DJ Tráva had become a central figure in Prague’s emerging rave and club culture. His sets were more than parties — they were acts of cultural resistance, gatherings where music became a language of unity, diversity, and hope.
Tráva’s early collaborations with local promoters and artists helped build the foundation of the Czech scene. He played legendary events like Roxy, Radost FX, and the first open-air techno festivals, helping to create a network of DJs, producers, and fans who would define the next generation of Czech electronic music.
Even as the scene grew more commercial, Tráva stayed true to the underground — always prioritizing authenticity, musical quality, and emotional connection.
Career of Constant Evolution
Over three decades, DJ Tráva refused to stand still. His sound evolved from deep house and minimal techno to more experimental, atmospheric directions. His performances combined precision and feeling, always guided by the crowd’s energy.
He became a fixture at major European festivals and clubs while remaining deeply rooted in the local community. Artists often credited him with being a mentor and an inspiration, not only for his skill behind the decks but for his humility and commitment to music as a shared human experience.
Tráva’s long-running residencies in Prague and beyond made him one of the few Czech DJs to achieve both national and international recognition — while maintaining his underground credibility.
Remembering a True Pioneer
Following news of his death, tributes have poured in from artists, fans, and promoters across Europe. Fellow DJs described him as “a cultural father figure” and “the heart of Czech electronic music.”
Beyond his technical mastery, DJ Tráva will be remembered for his unbreakable love for music and his belief in community over fame. He inspired countless young DJs to follow their own artistic instincts, proving that authenticity never goes out of style.
His passing marks not just the end of a life, but the closing of a chapter in Czech music history — one that he himself helped write.
As Prague’s nightlife continues to thrive, every beat, every sunrise set, and every underground gathering will carry his spirit. DJ Tráva’s legacy lives on — in every dancer who ever lost themselves to the rhythm he created.
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