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UK garage hitmaker, Architechs’ Ashley Akabah, has died

The producer passed away earlier this month

UK garage hitmaker, Architechs’ Ashley Akabah, AKA City, has died aged 49.

The news about Akabah was posted via Music Week, who shared that the producer and one-half of garage duo, Architechs, had passed away in Notting Hill, West London, on the 2nd February 2020. The cause of death is unknown.

In a statement, his brother Tre Lowe, and Architechs co-producer, wrote: “My beautiful brother Ashley. You brought joy to so many lives with your love for crafting music and putting pen to paper to create magic. I remember us making the Boy Is Mine with Kevin in his studio. Together we transformed my little beat into a track that helped alter the history of urban UK music. That was your gift to the world. The ability to bring light with your creative genius. To millions you will forever be the voice on the eternal classic Body Groove. To me, you will always be my big brother, my hero and a truly beautiful soul. I long for the day when we make music together again. Love you bro.” 

Architechs were renowned for their 2000s MOBO-nominated, UK garage hit, 'Body Groove', and also remixed music from the likes of Usher, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and Beenie Man. 

Since Akabah's passing, other figures in the music industry have shared their condolences, including Architech's manager Aaron Hercules, who wrote that "Ashley had a mad passion for music writing. Creating music being the thing he lived for, we can all hear that from the classic 'Body Groove' which will always be an unshakable pillar from the UK garage scene. He will be greatly missed. Miss you bro. Rest In Peace.”

Read more tributes in the Music Week article here.