DJ and Top Buzz member Jason Kaye has died aged 54
Tributes are pouring in for the British rave legend Jason Kaye, who stormed onto the scene in the '80s
13.03.2023: This article was amended with corrected information around Top Buzz
DJ, member of Top Buzz and UKG producer Jason Kaye has passed away aged 54.
The British DJ - whose real name was Jason Kyriakides - was one-third of the trio Top Buzz with Mad P and DJ Mikee B.
Formed in 1988, Top Buzz went on to release several singles and albums including the EP ‘Living in Darkness’ which was a regular hit at Fabio & Grooverider's London-based party, Rage.
The trio are regularly given credit for helping popularise jungle techno in the early '90s and Mad P and Jason Kaye had been continuing to highlight the scene by regularly appearing at old skool rave events across the UK.
Kyriakides went on to be the founder of the UKG label Social Circles in 1993. Social Circles worked with artists such as Gurley, Zed Bias, Sticky and The Wideboys on top of creating Kyriakides’ alias Ordinary People with Chris McFarlane, Russell Tait and Steve Gurley.
Ordinary People released six tracks from 1997 to 2000 including 'Baby You Make My Heart Sing' and 'Keep Your Love'.
On top of his label, he cofounded the iconic Garage Nation party with Steve "Turbo" Stone, which is still running.
Jason Kyriakides passed away on Saturday, March 11 with no cause of death disclosed.
Since the news of Kyriakides’ death, many fans and artists have shared their tributes on social media.
DJ Billy Daniel Bunter posted: “Legendary and pioneering dance music figure who’s presence is going to be missed. His lifetimes work is both groundbreaking and inspiring. He has influenced all of us across the many music spectrums that he injected his passion, knowledge and talent in to.”
He added: “On top of his incredible music achievements. He was an absolute gentleman.”
DJ Phantasy tweeted: “Im so sad to be typing this, RIP to the Legend Jason Kaye aka Top Buzz, someone who I lived with for 8 years in the early 90’s and we had some mad times during those hazy days. Jason was always there to help anyone he could.”
Read more tributes below.
A short video in memory of #jasonkaye aka #topbuzz, one of my favourite dj’s from back in the day, a true legend in my eyes, his memory remains through his music, as a DJ and an excellent producer. RIP. My sincere condolences 💐 VEB. pic.twitter.com/qMPwiXLhCD
— Victoria VEB (@vickyrolph89) March 12, 2023
Rest easy Jason Kaye, I don't really know what to say apart from this one has really upset me, if you went to raves back in the day you were a fan of Top Buzz, including myself, it was an honour to share the stage with you, I'm truly gutted ... pic.twitter.com/Z07fsmKRs2
— Doc Scott (@docscott31) March 11, 2023
Absolutely gutted that my very good friend Jason Kaye from Top Buzz has unexpectedly passed away. We were out together only a couple of weeks ago and messaging about normal stuff this week.
— Slipmatt (@Slipmatt) March 11, 2023
So incredibly sad - my thoughts are with family, friends and fans 💔 😪 pic.twitter.com/GXxYK4ps0A
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter
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