Rip Diane Charlemagne – Voice Of Dnb Classic Inner City Life

Sad news today. Diane Charlemagne, voice of numerous jungle and drum n bass classics has passed away after losing her long standing battle with cancer. Goldie, producer of Inner City Life, biggest of the many Metalheadz hits which featured Charlemagne, broke the news on twitter, writing "So she went into the early morning …God rest her soul #diane what a gifted voice . "

Charlemagne's first appearance was back in 1984, when she appeared on the Factory Records electro banger Can't Afford by 52nd Street.  Following the demise of 52nd Street in the late 80s, it was in the 90s that Charlemagne made her biggest mark, appearing on a raft of rave classics – from Goldie's proto jungle smash Kemistry to the pop rave of Urban Cookie Collective's The Key The Secret. In the late 90s she worked with everyone from speed garage pioneers 187 Lockdown to Japanese 'Godfather of House' Satoshi Tomiie. Recent years saw her continue to work, with stints singing disco infused house from Joey Negro, and vocalling tear out jungle for the Playaz release Rebirth. 

Here's a couple of her deeper moments. Diane Charlemagne, a true hero of UK dance music, RIP.