​Dubstep producer Walsh has died aged 40

Walsh, a much-loved dubstep DJ and producer, has died aged 40.

The Croydon-born musician died suddenly earlier in October, according to his younger sister, on the same day as his father’s death in 2016. His cause of death is currently unknown.

“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son and brother Darren Walsh,” reads a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday, October 27, by his younger sister Sam.

“He died suddenly on Sunday 16th October 2022 at the age of 40 years old. This day is especially painful for us as it fell on the same day as our dear father's passing 6 years previously.

“Darren was a pioneer DJ of the music genre dubstep and the outpourings of love and support from this community have brought great comfort for both me and my mum,” she added.

During his career, Darren Walsh collaborated frequently with dubstep pioneer Benga, and helped to solidify the genre within the electronic underground in the early 2000s.

The Croydon-born producer was also known for his bi-weekly radio shows on London’s Delight 103FM, which he curated and played back-to-back with dubstep commandeer N-Type catering for the “darker side of UK garage”.

Walsh was originally known on the UK garage scene in the mid-'90s, later taking to dubstep during its upsurge towards the new millennium. The DJ would later go on to host regular shows on Rinse FM, GetDarker, and launched his own record label, Biscuit Factory.

“Together with Darren's best friend Mark Newton, also known in the dubstep community as DJ N-Type, we will be communicating details of the funeral at a later date. Sam (Darren’s Little Sister),” continues the statement.

Tributes have been pouring in for the late DJ and producer. Read some below.

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