Midnight Riot founder Andy Williams, AKA Yam Who?, has died

Disco and house DJ, producer Midnight Riot label head and journalist Andy Williams has died, reports Faith Fanzine.

Also known under aliases such as Yam Who? and Qwestlife, the latter in collaboration with Tom Laroye, Williams was a staple of the UK music scene for more than three decades.

He founded the music labels ISM Records, Midnight Riot and Black Riot, releasing tracks from the likes of Amp Fiddler, Robert Owens, Eli Escobar, Arthur Baker, MIchael Gray, Birdee, Hifi Sean and Groove Assassin.

In 2017 Mixmag named Midnight Riot as one of the most influential disco labels of the last decade.

Williams also released music of his own, most notably as Yam Who?, which started as a duo with Des Morgan before becoming Williams’ solo venture, across his own labels and others, such as Papa Records, Electric Minds and Ubiquity.

As a member of DJ and production Qwestlife, he co-released multiple records on Defeected sublabel Glitterbox, including 2020 album ‘Prophecy’.

As a DJ he would often appear on the line-ups of events and clubs such as Glitterbox, Ministry of Sound, Horse Meat Disco, Love International and Amsterdam Dance Event.

Williams was also the disco editor of Mixmag from 2016 to 2020 with a column in the monthly print magazine.

A number of tributes have been posted online.

Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy said: “I’m absolutely gutted. He was a joy to work with in the studio and an all around great and hilarious person. I feel for his family.”

Hifi Sean wrote: “One of the most gentle soft lovely and kind men I have had the pleasure to know and make a good few records with over the years. You have left an amazing legacy”.

Defected wrote: “Andy has always been a ray of light. He is a great DJ, producer, and label owner, but most importantly… a great person. He was always kind to everyone he met and never asked for anything in return.”