Diane Charlemagne dies at 51 after long battle with cancer

Posted by Abbie Anker on Monday, May 20, 2024

Diane Charlemagne, the voice behind many of Britain's big dance hits, has died after a long battle of cancer.

The Manchester-born singer, famous for classic '90s anthem The Key, The Secret with Urban Cookie Collective, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 51.

A host of stars from the dance music world, including her former collaborator, DJ Goldie paid tribute to the vocalist.

Talented: Singer Diane Charlemagne, pictured in 2001, has died following a long battle with cancer. She was 51

Talented: Singer Diane Charlemagne, pictured in 2001, has died following a long battle with cancer. She was 51

Her representative said: 'I'm very sorry to have to announce the death of Diane Charlemagne. Diane passed away this afternoon surrounded by her family after losing her brave battle with cancer.

'The release of her last record 'It's In Your Eyes' featuring Andy Rourke of The Smiths and remixed by Youth, will go ahead on November 20th as planned, with the proceeds going to Diane's family.'

Diane rose to fame in the 1980s singing with funk band 52nd Street, before becoming the lead vocalist for dance band Urban Cookie Collective in the 1990s.

She sang vocals on their 1993 hit The Key, The Secret - which reached No.2 in the UK charts - and Feels Like Heaven.

Collaboraters: Diane with DJ Goldie, who she composed the hit single Inner City Life with

Collaboraters: Diane with DJ Goldie, who she composed the hit single Inner City Life with

Sadness: DJ Goldie paid tribute to Diane on Twitter following news of her passing

Sadness: DJ Goldie paid tribute to Diane on Twitter following news of her passing

The singer also worked with Moby, Welsh drum 'n' bass DJ High Contrast and D:Ream among others.

Leading the tributes, DJ Goldie, who featured Diane as the vocalist on his 1994 single Inner City Life, wrote a long message on Twitter.

He tweeted: 'So she went into the early morning... God rest her soul #diane. What a gifted voice

'I can't thank you enough for what you contributed and we will carry on your legacy, your voice became the...

Hitmaker: Diane sang lead vocals for the Urban Cookie Collective in the mid '90s, including the hits The Key, The Secret

Hitmaker: Diane sang lead vocals for the Urban Cookie Collective in the mid '90s, including the hits The Key, The Secret

'Just come out of #bikram #mourning ...and finding a place of peace inside myself of how much light that woman bought to my music.

'R:I:P DIANE Charlemagne. Love to her family ..#blessed.'

Former The Shamen star and DJ Andy C tweeted: 'RIP Diane Charlemagne... truly stunning voice. She will live on in the music forever #timeless #DianeCharlemagne.'

Fellow DJ Gilles Peterson wrote: 'In memory of Diane Charlemagne who passed away this afternoon.'

Former Happy Mondays singer Rowetta Satchell tweeted: 'Better than most - Beautiful, talented, kind, real and Mancunian - Diane Charlemagne loses battle with lung cancer.'

Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac wrote: 'Playing @MRGOLDIE Inner City Life on @BBCR1 to honour the life and voice of Diane Charlemagne.'

Tributes: A host of names from music world took to Twitter to pay tribute to the singer

Tributes: A host of names from music world took to Twitter to pay tribute to the singer

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