Terror Danjah, legendary grime producer, has died

Influential grime producer Rodney Pryce, better known as Terror Danjah, died yesterday, February 11.

The news was first shared by musician D Power Diesle on social media in a brief statement that said: “People! Sad sad news! [Terror Danjah] has unfortunately passed away.

“God bless all his family, I will let you know when I know more.”

Danjah began his career by DJing at local house parties before moving into producing in 2001. His trademark 'gremlin' sound, a robotic cackle that is featured in tracks, has become a distinctive sound in his works.

His music soon found its way to pivotal underground labels including Hyperdub, Tru Thoughts and Planet Mu, along with his own Hardrive Records, releasing a number of solo projects.

Hyperdub's founder Kode 9 wrote on Instagram in tribute to the late producer: "He was one of the most enthusiastic, energised people I’ve met, a constant flow of musical ideas, always rhythmically multi-tasking and making enthusiastic plans and sketches."

He continued "He was a musical trickster, and his cheeky musical sense of humour was compressed into that gremlins cackle which was his instantly recognizable sonic logo. Even after his stroke a few years ago he retained that broad smile."

The cause of death has not been shared yet, though he has previously suffered a stroke in 2019, which left him in a coma.

Since his reported illness, the producer’s social media accounts have largely remained inactive. However, after he emerged from the coma, he released two more records, Invasion and the EP Red Flag.

Terror had previously shared his thoughts with Vice on artists moving into mainstream territory. He stated that it all depends on "whether you can stay true to the music."

“It would be lovely to get a national hit but it would be beautiful to do it from what I do now,” he said. “I know it’s gonna take some wider thinking and maybe less intricate but at the same time, it’s all about timing because you can do what the Wileys, Tinies and Skeptas are doing; making music for the market and then making music for them.”