​Jungle trailblazer Daren Ellis, AKA Undercover Agent, has died

Influential jungle DJ and producer Daren Ellis, also known under his aliases Undercover Agent, Splash, and Mts, has passed away, DJ Mag reports.

The news was confirmed on Thursday, March 21, via a GoFundMe page set up by a friend of the jungle and drum ‘n’ bass producer. Ellis died in his sleep on Wednesday, March 20, they confirmed.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved friend, Daren Ellis, affectionately known as Daz, professionally known as Undercover Agent,” they wrote.

“Daren peacefully departed in his sleep yesterday, after battling health issues in recent years, we did everything we could to support him through this time and today we are absolutely heartbroken.”

They added that his death came as a “shock”, making it all the more devastating. “Let's come together to honour Daz's memory and give him the celebration he truly deserves.”

The fundraiser asks for help with funeral costs, which will be paid for in part by Suburban Base Records boss Danny Donnelly, a close friend of Daren. “I have agreed to pay for the funeral, to ease the burden on his sister, Shana, as his next of kin,” he said.

“Shana has suggested a GoFundMe for the wake/life celebration, and some of the additional cost, acknowledging that some may wish to contribute with their own donation and dedication”. The fundraiser has currently collected almost £2,000, nearly half of its anticipated goal.

Ellis was best known for his releases on Juice, Splash Records, and Deejay Recordings, with renowned tracks including ‘Barracuda’ and the 1995 jungle hit ‘Babylon’.

He began DJing in 1983 using cassette decks, later transferring his skills to a set of Technics 1210s. In the late ‘80s, Ellis set up Cyndicut FM, a pirate radio station bringing through artists including Andy C and Majistrate.

Read some tributes to Daren Ellis below, and support the fundraiser here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter