UK dance music pioneer DJ Randall has died, aged 54
Tributes are flooding in for the “godfather of breakbeat," who helped to popularise jungle and drum 'n' bass in the '90s.
Jungle and drum 'n' bass pioneer DJ Randall has died, aged 54.
Representatives for legendary DJ, producer and label head, real name Randall McNeil, confirmed his death to Mixmag yesterday (July 31). A cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Born in East London, Randall began learning how to DJ in the late '80s, first encountering acid house during Notting Hill Carnival in 1987.
While cutting his teeth at warehouse parties across the city, he gained notice from operators at Pirate Radio station Centreforce Radio — later becoming known for his deft hand at breakbeat hardcore sets on the airwaves for Rinse FM and Rave FM.
Randall often credits his big break as Rave FM's Living Dream in 1990, which saw the burgeoning selector play in front of 10,000 people at Leyton's Eastway Speed Stadium with an extended 3-hour set time due to a no-show from Colin Faver.
Following this, DJ Randall began a residency at the legendary Orange at Rocket Club, Holloway — playing early jungle cuts alongside the likes of Fabio, Grooverider and DJ Hype.
In 1991, he opened a record store and imprint DeUnderground alongside Cool Hand Flex and Mike DeUnderground, a shop that became a focal point for the early '90s jungle scene in London. Though DeUnderground closed in 1996, Randall would join forces with Cool Hand Flex to establish Mac II Recordings later that year.
While a regular for the likes of AWOL and Metalheadz, Randall was primarily known as a DJ — though he notably co-produced Andy C's 'Sound Control', which debuted on RAM Records in 1995. From the '90s to present day, he has collaborated on releases on alongside the likes of Flava, A-Sides and Tek-9
Up until his death, Randall had still been a regular behind booths across Europe – with a recent appearance at Glastonbury's Shangri-La and Outlook Origins festival last weekend in Croatia.
He had been due to appear at Boomtown and Valve Sound System's street party next Thursday (August 8), alongside Fish56Octogon, DJ Hype, Dillinga and more.
Read some of the tributes to DJ Randall below:
gutted. broken
