MC Conrad has died aged 52

MC Conrad, who was a trailblazer in the drum 'n' bass genre, has passed away at the age of 52, according to reports.

Today (April 30th), people close to MC Conrad, whose real name is Conrad Thompson, announced his passing through heartfelt messages on social media. The reason for his death has not been officially disclosed as of yet.

MC Conrad is a well-known figure in the world of drum 'n' bass, where he has played a pivotal role as both a singer and an influencer. He initially gained his footing in the rave community during the 1990s, starting off in Northampton before moving to London.

MC Conrad was influenced by his dad's music collection, which included ska, rocksteady, bluebeat, and reggae. He mixed the tunes of his Caribbean roots with the modern hip hop and electro beats that were popular in UK clubs at the time.

Back in 1994, Thompson commenced his Speed residency at the Mars Bar in London. During this time, he would use his vocals to accompany the tunes played by LTJ Bukem and Fabio. This residency was significant as it helped increase the popularity of the venue and drum 'n' bass music. It also established MC Conrad as one of the leading voices in the genre and one of the most renowned MCs across the United Kingdom.

He performed at various music festivals and venues including London's Ministry of Sound, California's Coachella, and Ibiza's Space. He even shared the stage with notable artists such as Carl Cox, Snoop Dogg, Grandmaster Flash, and Jeff Mills.

As head of the label, Conrad made efforts to elevate the drum 'n' bass genre. He collaborated with Bukem to establish Good Looking Records in 1991 which helped to popularize the intelligent drum 'n' bass sound. The label hosted releases from renowned artists such as Photek, Source Direct and Seba among others.

Resonance was founded by Conrad in 2020, and it's the first drum 'n' bass label that prioritizes digital music technology. The vision of the label seeks to promote newer and innovative styles of drum 'n' bass music. Currently, Resonance has launched 13 tracks featuring Conrad's own music productions, which he created under the name of Con*Natural.

DJ Zinc shared a post on Instagram expressing his sadness over Conrad's death. He emphasized Conrad's importance in the drum and bass scene and how much he will be missed. Zinc also fondly remembered the dynamic duo of Bukem and Conrad, noting that Conrad was always a fun and humorous person to be around. He mentioned that he will be listening to Conrad's popular track, Golden Girl, and recommended Soul Patrol as another one of Conrad's top hits, although he was unable to locate it on the platform.

The musical company, Hospital Records, expressed their condolences on Twitter by stating that they are heartbroken to learn about the death of MC Conrad. They acknowledged him as a remarkable and extraordinary artist who played a significant role in shaping and developing the jungle and drum and bass music industry. The company also extended their sympathy and warmest regards to Conrad's loved ones and acquaintances during this challenging time.

We are saddened by the news of MC Conrad's death. He was an exceptional and one-of-a-kind artist who played an instrumental role in establishing and shaping the jungle and drum and bass genre. Our hearts and condolences go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/mspRqD8GCG.

Ros, the head of Addiction Records, expressed her grief over the death of someone she referred to as a "brother" by saying: "I'm really surprised and saddened. May he rest in peace."

Technique Recordings, a record label that focuses on the drum and bass genre, honored the late MC Conrad. They expressed their condolences by acknowledging his skills in lyrical drum and bass emceeing, calling him one of the pioneers and a master of the craft.

You can find additional expressions of admiration and appreciation further down this page.

Megan Townsend holds the position of Deputy Editor at Mixmag. You can keep up with her on Twitter.

It is a sorry day as we mourn the loss of Mc Conrad. He was a distinguished Mc in the drum and bass genre right from the beginning. His distinct sound and style endeared him to fans all over the globe, earning him love and respect. I personally performed with him on countless occasions, and we shared numerous great moments. Our thoughts and love go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. #mcconrad #legend #dnb #RIP

Let's pay our respects to MC Conrad, who was one of the pioneers and finest in his craft.

My heart goes out to MC Conrad as we say our final goodbye. His voice has been a constant in my life for a huge part of it. I could go on and on about the amazing memories I have of road tripping with buddies to see him and Bukem while blasting Progression Sessions 4 on the stereo. We were those oddball ravers when it wasn't in style.

It is a melancholic day for the music world once again as we bid farewell to another iconic figure referred to as MC Conrad. Just a few weeks ago, I had a conversation with him and now we mourn his passing. We extend our deepest sympathies and may he find eternal rest. We are grateful for his encouragement and positive remarks.