Scottish DJ and Producer Jackmaster Passes Away at 38

Jack Revill, known to fans as Jackmaster, the Scottish DJ and producer, has passed away at the age of 38, as confirmed by his family through a statement on his official Instagram account. He died on Saturday, October 12, due to complications from an accidental head injury sustained in Ibiza. In their statement, the family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and fans, while requesting privacy as they cope with their profound loss.

“Jack’s passion for music and his unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries through his work at Numbers and Rubadub Records in Glasgow made him a beloved and pioneering figure in the electronic music scene, both in front of and behind the scenes,” the family added. “His ability to blend genres and deliver electrifying DJ sets earned him respect and admiration from peers and fans worldwide. His legacy will continue to inspire, and his impact on the dance music world will remain indelible.”

Although primarily a producer, Jackmaster identified as a DJ first and foremost, influencing an entire generation of DJs who followed in his footsteps. Whether performing at local clubs or international festivals, he took pride in showcasing his diverse musical tastes and skillfully weaving together tracks across various genres and eras, particularly during competitive back-to-back sets with other DJs.

Born in Glasgow in 1986, Jackmaster learned the art of DJing from his best friend Calum Morton, who would later collaborate with him. As a teenager, he dedicated himself to honing his skills. A pivotal moment in his journey occurred when he landed a job at Rubadub, the iconic record shop, at the age of 14. Rather than seeking a paycheck, he opted to be compensated with records for each hour worked, leading to a treasure trove of music and lifelong connections that propelled his career.

“I just loved music so much, and it was all I ever did,” he told Resident Advisor in 2014. “I never had to buy records again, so that was an obvious perk. The opportunity to get promos first dibs was invaluable… There was stuff for the Fabric mix that I would have never got if not for Rubadub.”

In 2010, Jackmaster merged his record labels, Dress 2 Sweat and Wireblock, with Stuff to create the new label Numbers, named after the club night they all ran in Glasgow, which still hosts dance events. Under the Numbers label, they released records by renowned artists like SOPHIE, Jamie xx, Hudson Mohawke, Jessie Ware, and Rustie.

Jackmaster won the Breakthrough DJ honor at DJ Magazine’s Best of British Awards in 2010, marking the beginning of many accolades, including high placements in Resident Advisor’s Top 100 DJs polls and a residency on BBC Radio 1. He was the inaugural winner of the Sub Club Electronic Music Award at the 2016 Scottish Music Awards and received the Tennents Golden Can Award for Contributions to Scottish Culture in 2017.

While Jackmaster released several original singles, including “Nitro” and “Let’s Go,” his most notable works include FabricLive.57, which he curated in 2011, and the 2016 mix DJ-Kicks Jackmaster. His latest releases include the 2023 EP Party Going On and collaborations with Avision on tracks like “Bumpin’” and “Just Get Up.”

In 2018, Jackmaster publicly apologized for inappropriate behavior at the festival Loves Saves the Day, acknowledging his abusive actions during a drug-induced blackout.

Following the news of his passing, numerous artists have paid tribute to Jackmaster, including Diplo, Honey Dijon, Modeselektor, Black Coffee, Dillon Francis, and Peggy Gou. “Inspiration. Pure talent. Pioneering DJ. Friend,” wrote Disclosure on Instagram. “The music scene will never be the same without you. Thank you for all the amazing memories, shows, and laughs we had together. Rest in peace, Jack.”