DJ Ajax Dies In Road Accident

Celebrated Australian DJ and electronic producer Adrian Thomas, better known in clubland as DJ Ajax, has died in a road accident. He was 41.

Thomas was crowned on numerous occasions as the top DJ in these parts, and played parties around the globe. He was also a founding member of the Bang Gang DJs crew and was co-founder and director of the label Sweat It Out, which had a monster hit in 2010 with Yolanda B Cool vs DCup’s “We No Speak Americano.”

He leaves some legacy. Thomas is widely considered as a pioneer, a key figures who helped bring EDM to the mainstream in Australia during the noughties. In a statement issued today by Sweat it Out, Thomas was described as “instrumental in shaping the landscape of Australian dance music. He was a hugely talented individual and was highly respected by the local and international dance music community as a pioneer and innovator. Adrian touched so many people and it is impossible to sum up his legacy in words."

In 2006 and 2006, Thomas took the top spot at Australian dance portal inthemix’s DJ poll. He ranked Top 5 in that poll every year from 2005-2009. He was three-times 3D magazine’s “World DJ of the year.” His works have been released on Ministry of Sound and Modular Recordings.

Thomas was killed in the early hours of Friday morning after he was hit by a truck in Melbourne. The accident happened just hours after Thomas’ birthday, though police have ruled out foul play.

Tributes flowed across the social networks today, remembering a warm, fun guy who as artist was at the top of his game. “Saddened to hear about the passing of Dj Ajax. RIP,” Tweeted London-base DJ Erol Alkan. Jesse F. Keeler of Canadian act mstrkrft told this tale from his Twitter account, “RIP AJAX. vivid memory of us leaving a hotel one morning, and him not realizing he had no shoes on until we were outside.”

In a tip to his good nature, Thomas describes himself on his Website as a “self proclaimed dance legend and piss taker.”

A message posted by Modular writes, “Very few people have the gall to call themselves a legend, especially in Australia where proclaiming your own greatness has long been looked down upon. In that regard Ajax was in a league of his own. A true gentleman and a cherished friend, this week we lost one of Australia's true legends.”

A tribute page has been set-up on Facebook.