Grime star Terror Danjah – who worked with artists including Wiley, Kano and Ghetts – dies as tributes pour in for ‘one of the greatest’

Grime star Terror Danjah, who worked with artists including Wiley, Kano and Ghetts, has died, sparking an outpouring of tributes.

The musician’s passing was confirmed by a representative of his record label, after first hearing the news from a member of his family.

A cause of death has not been given, though it’s been reported by Clash that Terror suffered a stroke in 2019, which left him in a coma.

The news of his death was also shared by many of Terror’s friends, who paid tribute on social media.

DJ and broadcaster Logan Sama wrote: ‘There are few people throughout my history in music that I have seen reach out, nurture and empower as many emerging artists with the tools to go on to lead successful careers than I did Terror Danjah. 

‘He truly loved music. He loved people. And I love him.’

Grime star Terror Danjah, who worked with artists including Wiley, Kano and Ghetts, has died, sparking an outpouring of tributes

Big Zuu also paid tribute, writing on X: ‘Rest In Peace @TerrorDanjah a very kind soul who always had time for the mandem and just wanted to see us win. 

‘Sending prayers and blessings to your family.’

Kevin Martin, the Bug producer, also paid a touching tribute to the ‘fantastic producer,’ saying in a moving statement that Terror was a ‘big hearted person and criminally underrated outside of grime circles… a positive force, sorely missed.’

‘RIP Terror Danjah,’ wrote DaMetalMessiah on X. ‘One of the first producers who made me truly appreciate grime as an art form. Still one of the greatest catalogues in the genre.’

Chris the Capo added: ‘Rest in Peace to Terror Danjah. One of the original pioneers of our scene who had his own innovative sound.’

Ghetts also shared a picture of Danjah to his Instagram story, with a dove emoji in tribute.

Terror began DJing at local house parties before moving into producing in 2001, and his trademark ‘gremlin’ sound, a robotic cackle featured on tracks, became a distinctive nod in his work.

The musician’s passing was confirmed by a representative of his record label (Terror is pictured in a 2019 Instagram post)

Terror had previously told Vice that while he hoped to reach mainstream recognition, success also meant staying ‘true to the music’.

‘It would be lovely to get a national hit but it would be beautiful to do it from what I do now,’ he said. 

‘I know it’s gonna take some wider thinking and maybe less intricate but at the same time, it’s all about timing because you can do what the Wileys, Tinies and Skeptas are doing; making music for the market and then making music for them.’

Since his reported illness in 2019, the producer’s social media accounts have largely remained inactive.