Nick Williams, Phonica Records stalwart and Meda Fury label founder, has died

Nick Williams, the founder of London label Meda Fury and long-standing figure of record shop Phonica Records, has died.

Williams passed away on Sunday, 21st December, after battling pancreatic cancer since he received a diagnosis in February. Announcing his death, Phonica said: “Nick was part of the heart of Phonica Records for 16 years. From behind the counter to shaping the spirit of the shop, he gave so much of himself to this place and to the community around it. His knowledge, generosity, humour and passion for music touched countless artists, DJs, customers and friends from all over the world.”

His wife, who frequently DJ’d as Trafford alongside him, said: “It’s unbelievably hard to write that my darling soulmate and husband, digger, DJ, Meda Fury record label creator, Phonica stalwart and music connoisseur Nick Williams has passed away on Sunday, 21st December after battling cancer since March of this year. He was so positive, so brave, still thinking of others.I have so much gratitude towards the friends and family and medical staff who helped him (and me) through this difficult time.

“He was one in a midgillion — unique, funny, interesting, kindhearted. He lived and breathed music. He would even listen to music all night while he slept. Sometimes sleep-talking about records. His knowledge was amazing. But also what an absolute gem of a man. There will never be another like him. I love you so so so much my darling and I will miss you until we can be reunited.”

Williams launched Meda Fury as an offshoot of R&S Records in 2014. He put out records from the likes of Eliphino, DJ Seinfeld, Lady Blacktronika, Takuya Matsumoto and lots more via the imprint, before closing it down in 2020.

Revealing his cancer diagnosis in July, Williams said: “It was heartbreaking to get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February, and extremely depressing to learn it was late stage and that it had spread to my liver, peritoneum and lymph nodes. The doctors and oncologists weren’t optimistic, didn’t think I would have long. They put me on Chemotherapy ASAP.”

Tributes to Williams have come from many prominent figures in dance music, who spoke about his kindness, passion for music, and enthusiasm for introducing records to those who walked through the doors of Phonica. In a comment, Four Tet wrote, “He was always a pleasure to see in the shop and catch up with. A proper music enthusiast. He will be missed.”

In a comment left under Phonica’s post, Rhythm Section founder Bradley Zero described Williams as a “real champion behind the counter whose influence spread far and wide with the kindness and subtlety those who knew him loved him for.”

Read Phonica Records and Trafford’s full tributes to Williams below.