Skibadee: Drum and bass MC dies aged 47 in 'sad day for UK music'

Influential drum and bass musician Skibadee has died at the age of 47, his family have said.

The London-born MC was a member of renowned drum and bass group SASASAS, with his most notable tracks including Died In Your Arms and Streetfighter MC.

His family released a statement on his Facebook page confirming his death but did not say the cause.

Tributes have poured in on social media for the MC, born Alfonso Bondzie, from music industry figures and fans.

Artist Little Dee tweeted "Skibba is to drum and bass what Wiley is to grime", adding that it was a "sad day for UK music".

Drum and bass DJ and producer Fresh said on Twitter "his contribution to drum’n’bass can never be equalled".

UK electronic duo Gorgon City also posted a tribute praising their "childhood hero" and said Skibadee was one of the reasons why they got into music.

Skibadee began his career in 1993 on pirate radio and went on to collaborate with artist Shabba D, creating the SAS partnership together, and later formed SASASAS with DJs Phantasy and Macky Gee and MCs Stormin and Harry Shotta.