Grime pioneer Major Ace passes away after losing his battle with a brain tumour

The news was confirmed by his brother last night...

Andrew Rafter

Monday, October 9, 2017 - 13:33

Major Ace, one of the founding fathers of UK grime, has passed away after losing his battle with a brain tumour.

The news was confirmed by his brother via an Instagram post yesterday evening.

The pioneering MC, whose real name was Luke Monero, had been suffering from a brain tumour for the last three years, and sadly passed away on Sunday evening (8th October).

Major Ace was part of Pay As You Go Cartel, which was the starting place for MCs Wiley, Gods Gift, Maxwell D, Breeze and Flow dan, producer DJ Target, and also UK underground music figureheads DJ Slimzee and Geeneus.

Along with Heartless Crew and the So Solid Crew, Pay As You Go were also recognised as a pioneering influence on the UK grime sound.

Pay As U Go Cartel reached number 13 in the UK charts with 'Champagne Dance' in 2002.

The grime community — including Wiley, Tinchy Stryder, Lethal Bizzle, DJ Target and Lisa Maffia — have all paid tribute to Major Ace on social media throughout this morning.

Broken

A post shared by Cass superstar (@cass_superstar) on Oct 8, 2017 at 12:19pm PDT

Had the pleasure of meeting & working with Major Ace a good few times over the years. Sending to his friends and family #RIPMajorAce pic.twitter.com/0CDI8BQUlN

— mistajam (@mistajam) October 8, 2017

Like I still can’t believe this man, I mean wow! Original in this, we grew up listening to you, Pay as you go, Rinse fm, shut down raves etc. #RIPMajorAce

— Tinchy Stryder (@TinchyStryder) October 8, 2017

Original mate from nursery & all the way up till payasugo crew. All the years we spent together playing Commodore 64 games 2 doing music#rip pic.twitter.com/tr1QOBrMQi

— @dj_slimzee (@dj_slimzee) October 9, 2017

Rest in peace my brother Major Ace. I don't wanna believe the news thoughts and prayers are with his family right now.

— DJ Target (@DJTarget) October 8, 2017