- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
DJ and record producer Matt Tolfrey has died aged 44 – a friend confirmed on Monday.
Close friend and fellow musician, Damian Lazarus led the tributes as he remembered his ‘cheeky smile and humour’ in an emotional post.
Sharing the news to Instagram, he wrote: ‘This weekend we lost a key member of the extended Crosstown Rebels family. Matt Tolfrey played a major role in our music scene and will be very sorely missed.
‘We first met in Nottingham when I was booked to play at Stealth and we went on to work and play together for the best part of 20 years.
‘He produced key singles and remixes for us and in recent years was responsible for helping us work with artists that he represented.
‘Like us, Matt believed in community and bringing people together on and off the dancefloor and his record label Leftroom Records.’
Damian added: ‘He has played an important role in bringing like minded music makers together.
‘Matt was a brilliant DJ and was represented by myself and Will in the very early days of the Rebel Agency (now NGE).
‘His cheeky smile and humor will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to everyone that knew and loved Matt but especially to his beautiful daughters Arla and Beau.
‘RIP Matt, you left the room too early.’
Born in 1980, Matt grew up in the Middle East in Bahrain, before returning to the UK when he was 16.
He began his DJ career in Nottingham while studying in the city, before making his debut at London’s Fabric in 2004.
After playing The Bomb in Nottingham, when he got spotted: ‘Not long after, I got a call from Craig Richards one early morning.
‘At first I couldn’t work out who it was. He offered me to come down to London to play at Fabric. And that’s how it all began,’ he told DJ Magazine in 2012.
‘I can’t imagine things like that happening now. Once I played at Fabric, I started getting booked elsewhere, because it was such a big thing.’
Matt went on to work as a producer for labels such as Crosstown Rebels, REKIDS and Phonica before starting his own, Leftroom.
He released his first full-length album, titled Word of Mouth, via Leftroom Records in 2012.
Matt’s second album, All Shapes and Sizes, was released in 2020.
After his death, Classic Music Company added in a tribute on Monday: ‘Classic are devastated to hear of the passing of Matt Tolfrey; DJ, producer, label runner, manager and importantly our friend.
‘Matt was a longtime supporter and fan of all things Classic during his residency at The Bomb in Nottingham and of course at places like London’s Fabric.
‘In 2011 when Matt asked to remix some records from the catalogue, we loved them and were more than happy to release them in conjunction with his ‘Classic Through The Eyes of Matt Tolfrey’ compilation.
‘We have fond memories of the times he played for us and when we all hung out.
We are deeply saddened by the news and we send love to all of Matt’s friends and family.’
Fellow DJ Heidi added: ‘I really can’t believe we’re here again. Saying goodbye to another wonderful person. Matt Tolfrey was someone whom i gravitated towards immediately. His humour was infectious. He was such a fun person to be around & unbelievably kind.
‘We played together & b2b so many times across this planet. From Peru to Detroit, Barcelona, Miami, London, Amsterdam and the list goes on.
‘He was a fixture at my Jackathon parties in the early days and also contributed a track “who’s the freak” made specifically for my 1st big mix release on the label.
‘He loved taking the piss out of me on the regular and that became our language. We laughed uncontrollably sometimes.
‘Matt was also extremely supportive to so many artists over the decades. He never had an ego & i firmly believe that he was in this industry for all the right reasons. His label Leftroom was a staple in all of our record bags in the early-mid nouties.
‘I only have hilarious & warm memories of him. My heart goes out to Hayley & his beautiful daughters. This is beyond heartbreaking.
‘Make sure you tell your friends & family how much you love them. Life is precious.’
