Tragic news emerged earlier this week that on 13 September, at the age of 34, Mehdi Favéris-Essadi had died. Known the world over as DJ Mehdi, a renowned French house and hip hop producer, it was those closest to Mehdi in the field that first revealed the circumstances of events on Twitter.

Having been celebrating the birthday of long-time friend and fellow producer, Riton, at Mehdi’s Paris apartment in the 20th arrondissement, Mehdi and three others fell through a shattered Plexiglas floor, hospitalising all four, with Mehdi sustaining fatal injuries.

Adored and respected by numerous circles in the music world, it was a tribute to his kindness that all week trending topics on twitter paid their respects with #RIPMEHDI. Boys Noize even suspended his tour in Ibiza and Madrid this weekend out of respect, and the Paris Social Club closed its doors on Thursday in his honour.

Our thoughts go out to the Ed Banger family, where Mehdi had been instrumental in its formation and success in the last decade, and more importantly to his wife, the model and graphic artist, Fabienne Fafi, and their son, Neil. They must take comfort in knowing that his music will continue to inspire and entertain those who Mehdi had imparted on.

To look at Michael Jackson’s legacy is but one reminder of this, where an artist almost vilified in his later life, is remembered now, more than anything, for his impact on contemporary pop music. The Amy Winehouse Foundation, launched early this week to help vulnerable young people  also speaks volumes of the opportunity for good which musicians can have, even posthumously.