The man who helped bring grime into your living room has passed away.
Ghetts and others have taken to Twitter to express their condolences over the passing of Channel U-founder Darren Platt. There have been no details of the cause of death disclosed yet.
Platt’s satellite network Channel U (now called Channel AKA) helped to bring grime and other fringe genres into homes, giving it a shine to people who weren’t necessarily familiar with pirate radio. Launched in 2003, its aim was the bring grime, UK garage and rap into a new light and helped get the careers of Skepta, Dizzee Rascal and more.
R.i.p Darren Platt 🌹 founder of Channel U now known as Channel AKA.
That channel was the debut for many of us to the music industry. ❤️
— NOLAY (@OfficialNolay) July 14, 2016
RIP Darren Platt 😔🙏🏾 Sad news man. Channel U was so key in my career and many, many others. Good dude.
— Tinchy Stryder (@TinchyStryder) July 14, 2016
RIP Darren Platt – the founder of Channel U, one of the most important platforms in the history of UK urban music.
— Austin (@AustinDarbo) July 14, 2016
RIP Darren Platt made a HUGE contribution to UK music climate via Channel U 🙏🏾
— Funk Butcher (@FunkButcher) July 14, 2016