Andy Williams, aka Midnight Riot co-founder Yam Who?, has died

Andy Williams, the disco and house DJ and producer otherwise known as Yam Who?, has died.

In a statement, Williams’ friend, collaborator and fellow Midnight Riot label co-founder Phil Rose, aka Jaegerossa, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news that Andy Williams – Yam Who? – has passed away. Our world feels truly shattered, and no words can truly express this loss.

“Please keep us in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. We would ask for privacy at this difficult time for family and friends.”

As a DJ and producer with more than three decades of experience, Williams founded the labels ISM Records, Midnight Riot and Black Riot, releasing tracks by the likes of Amp Fiddler, Eli Escobar and Robert Owens.

He also released his own music under the Yam Who? alias, which had initially begun as a collaborative venture with Des Morgan before Williams went solo. As part of the duo Qwestlife with Tom Laroye, he put out records such as 2020 album ‘Prophecy’ via Defected sub-label Glitterbox.

Williams had been a fixture of various party and festival line-ups for clubs and promoters such as Glitterbox, Horse Meat Disco, Love International and Ministry Of Sound, and also wrote a monthly disco column in Mixmag’s print magazine from 2016 until 2020.

Posting in tribute to Williams, Defected said: “Andy has always been a ray of light. He is a great DJ, producer, and label owner, but most importantly… a great person. He was always kind to everyone he met and never asked for anything in return.”

Commenting on Instagram, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy said: “I’m absolutely gutted. He was a joy to work with in the studio and an all-round great and hilarious person. I feel for his family.