Dubstep DJ Walsh dies, aged 40

Dubstep DJ and producer Walsh has died.

The news of his sudden passing at the age of 40 was shared last week in a post via his Instagram page. The cause of his death is was not shared.

“It’s with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son and brother Darren Walsh,” said the post, which was written by his sister.”He died suddenly on Sunday, October 16th, 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 six 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.”

Emerging among the initial wave of dubstep, alongside other artists based in Croydon, Walsh collaborated with the likes of Benga, Kromestar and Benton, among others, during his career, putting out records with labels such as Hotflush and his own Biscuit Factory.

His first introduction to the dance music scene came amid the early ’00s wave of dark UK garage, which eventually paved the way for dubstep and grime. Establishing a partnership with fellow dubstep DJ and producer N-Type, the pair, who were childhood friends, played the darker strains of UKG as residents on London radio station Delight 103.00FM.

The duo continued to play b2b together in the years after as they established themselves as key names in the dubstep scene, holding down regular slots on Rinse FM and GetDarker.

Paying tribute on Instagram, N-Type wrote:”My brother since 12 years old, always by my side, always there when I needed you. We had the best time growing up and never stopped laughing.

“We saw the birth of the music we loved, dubstep, and was a part of its growth. We DJ’d, raved and lived it up! You are loved by so many and hands down one of the best DJs ever! My brother sleep well mate.”

In a Twitter tribute, Hotflush wrote:”We are extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Darren Walsh, aka Walsh. whose collabs with Benga we released back in the early dubstep days. Darren was an amazing guy who brought so much positivity and made some amazing music. Rest in peace man, much love.”