MC Fats, the pioneering jungle drum & bass vocalist, has passed away. Tributes have poured in on social media from fans, friends, and peers in the scene, honoring the iconic MC, whose real name was Wildale Spencer. While no official statement has been released yet, Ram Records, the drum & bass label established by Andy C, expressed their heartbreak in a tweet, calling MC Fats a “legend of DNB” and a “dear member of our family from the very beginning.”

A Pioneer in the Jungle Drum & Bass Scene

MC Fats was a true pioneer in the jungle drum & bass scene, lending his distinctive voice to iconic tracks like DJ Hype’s 1996 anthem, ‘Peace Love & Unity’ on Playaz Recordings. He collaborated with prominent producers including Calibre, Dillinja, Pendulum, Chase & Status, and more, and released music regularly on labels like V Recordings, Metalheadz, Digital Soundboy, Shogun Audio, and Ram Records. He continued to release music until November 2022, when he dropped ‘Natural Way‘ with Break.

A Life of Struggle

MC Fats battled numerous health issues in recent years. In 2013, he was hospitalized due to complications related to his diabetes, and subsequently underwent multiple surgeries, including a partial leg amputation beneath his left knee. In 2014, he released his debut album, ‘We Gotcha,’ under the MC Fats Collective name, in collaboration with a star-studded cast of producers, to raise funds after being unable to perform. In 2018, he was admitted to the hospital in Sardinia due to breathing complications and underwent major heart surgery.

Tributes from Friends and Peers

Jungle pioneer Doc Scott tweeted his condolences, writing, “Rest easy MC Fats, thank you for all the laughs and good times along the way, it’s a sad day for DNB, see you on the other side my friend.” Fans and peers alike have expressed their sorrow at the loss of such a talented artist who made an indelible mark on the drum & bass scene. MC Fats will be sorely missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists.