"Godfather of breakbeat" DJ Randall dies aged 54

DJ Randall, a pioneering drum & bass DJ, has died aged 54 years old.

Often referred to has “the godfather of breakbeat”, his innovative approach helped steer British rave culture from the acid house of the late ‘80s to the hardcore, jungle and drum and bass which rose to prominence on dance floors throughout the ‘90s.

He often appeared playing alongside other revered figures in the early jungle movement like Fabio & Grooverider.

Randall is said to have first got into mixing and scratching with vinyl after discovering acid house at 1987’s Notting Hill Carnival. Having begun to build his own record collection, he soon started recording his own mixtapes and appeared on pirate radio stations.

Randall later cofounded his own label with Cool Hand Flex, Mac2 Recordings, and also regularly played sets at London venue  The Blue Note Club alongside acts like Goldie and DJ Storm.

— Co-Gee (@McCoGee) July 31, 2024

Numerous tributes to the late DJ have been posted on social media.

“You were such a big influence to me and my friends,” wrote DJ Fresh on X. “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.”

“We are heartbroken by the loss of DJ Randall, a founding legend of the scene whose legacy will continue to inspire us all,” posted drum and bass label RAM Records.” Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this incredibly sad time.”