“God is a DJ”, “Insomnia”… Maxi Jazz, the singer of the dance group Faithless, died at 65

The world of electronic music is in mourning.

Maxi Jazz, lead singer of British band Faithless, has died at the age of 65.

The artist, real name Maxwell Fraser, died at his home in south London, according to the group, known for his hits “Insomnia” and “God is a DJ”.

The causes of his death have not been specified at this time.

“We are heartbroken to report that Maxi Jazz died peacefully in his sleep last night,” the band tweeted on Saturday, paying tribute to one of the founding members of Faithless in 1995.

“He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways.

He gave real meaning and message to our music,” Faithless continued, hailing a “charming human being, who had time for everyone and wisdom that was both deep and accessible.”

A die-hard Crystal Palace fan

Faithless came to prominence in the mid-1990s, and enjoyed public and critical success for their album "Insomnia", to the point of emerging as pioneers of dance music at the time.

The group, which counts among its other members Rollo and Sister Bliss, has released six other studio albums as well as several compilations.

Their most recent record, "All Blessed", was released in 2020.

Sister Bliss paid tribute to the artist, sharing a black and white photo of him on Twitter, sending "love to all of you who have shared our musical journey".

Maxi Jazz 1957 - 2022. We are heartbroken to share that Maxi died peacefully in his sleep last night.

Sending love to all of you who shared our musical journey.

Look after each other y'hear.

🙏💔 pic.twitter.com/4R88rg8Aza

— sister bliss (@thesisterbliss) December 24, 2022

Reggae group UB40 meanwhile hailed a "lovely guy", recalling being on tour with Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys, another group of the artist, in 2017.

Hailing from Brixton, south London, he was a die-hard Crystal Palace supporter, going so far as to become the football club's associate manager in 2012.

Desperately sad to hear the news that we lost Maxi this morning.

He was such a huge talent, a massive supporter of the club in every way and just a wonderful kind hearted man.

He made the world dance, sing and laugh and someone I was privileged to call a friend.

RIP Maxi❤️💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/qe8WZdHEcc

— Steve Parish (@CEO4TAG) December 24, 2022

The club took to Twitter to hail a "legendary musician" and that the team would take to the field on a Faithless title on Monday to pay their respects.