Randall McNeil, better known as DJ Randall, has died at 54 years old, it was announced today.
Dubbed the “godfather of breakbeat”, DJ Randall ruled the underground music scene, transforming Jungle alongside influential acts like Fabio and Grooverider.
He became a regular on radio stations like Rave FM and Rinse FM, and earned a residency on Centreforce in 1989.
After solidifying his place as a pioneer of Drum and Bass, he started his own label called Mac2, alongside legends Goldie and DJ Storm.
The news has been earth-shattering for many massive DJs whose careers were built on the foundations of DJ Randall's moves.
“Randall is the reason I became a DJ,"
Friction wrote on Instagram. "He was the king of mixing drum & bass / jungle.”
Bad Company member DJ Fresh highlighted the impact DJ Randall had on a generation:
“You were such a big influence to me and my friends…You got a generation of kids into Drum & Bass when it was still called Jungle and you inspired the people that inspired me.”
Words can’t explain the influence this man had on the dance music scene and music in general. Rest easy brother.