Pioneering artist DJ Randall dead aged 54 as tributes pour in

DJ Randall, known as the ‘the godfather of breakbeat‘, has tragically died aged 54 his representatives have confirmed.

As of yet, no further details have been shared about the cause of death.

The drum and bass DJ, full name Randall McNeil, rose to prominence in the 90s alongside British DJ partners Fabio and Grooverider for revolutionising jungle.

After developing his own strand of breakbeat hardcore, he became a familiar voice on radio stations such as Rave FM and Rinse FM.

One of Randall’s earliest productions was in collaboration with Andy C and released on Ram in 1994: Sound Control.

By 1996 he co-founded his own label with Cool Hand Flex, known as Mac2 Recordings, and was a regular at The Blue Note Club alongside artists such as Goldie and DJ Storm.

Tributes have started to flood in for McNeil on social media.

‘Today we’ve lost one of the greats. Randall was a foundational part of the scene and helped write the blueprint for the art of the drum ‘n’ bass selector. His legacy is permanently woven into DnB culture. RIP DJ Randall,’ @techniquerec wrote.

‘You were such a big influence to me and my friends. And I was lucky to get to work with and hang out with you.

‘You got a generation of kids into Drum & Bass when it was still called Jungle and you inspired the people that inspired me. Rest in peace my friend, you will live on in our hearts and our music,’ @djfreshuk echoed.

In February, the late McNeil reflected on his career with UKF including his time working in the Club with Goldie.

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‘When he had those dubs ready to give to me everyone in the building knew things were going to kick off,’ he said at the time.

‘No one in that room the night we debuted Terminator will ever forget it. Everyone was there to hear the tunes and knew the tunes and the mixes. It was a moment.’

And talking about the crowd’s relationship with his music, he added: ‘Another good place to hear my tunes is the back of the room, by the bar with the brandy and coke. If it cuts through there then I know it’s working.

‘That’s a lot harder to achieve with digital production; to get that weight and punch and warmth. I do miss those old days sometimes… I know a lot of people bang on about it but the sound and feeling of vinyl can’t be beaten.’

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