Tributes have been paid to Juan Atkins, the Detroit techno pioneer who has died at the age of 64. His agency, Greensmith Artists, confirmed the news to Resident Advisor on Sunday, November 1, saying Atkins was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Mexico City before a scheduled show. He was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Atkins was known for his mechanistic approach to electronic music and for helping establish Detroit techno. He was one half of Cybotron and also released music as Model 500.

Born in Detroit in 1962, Atkins moved to Michigan as a child, where he met Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson. The three later became known as the Belleville Three. While at high school, Atkins formed Cybotron with Richard Davis. The duo released dance tracks including “Cosmic Cars” and “Clear” before splitting in 1985. “Clear” remained influential and was later sampled by Missy Elliott on “Lose Control.”

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield praised Atkins’ contribution to the city, describing how he had imagined and built “the music of the future.” She said he had continued recording, touring and advancing the music for more than four decades, while also opening doors for generations of Detroit artists.

“On behalf of the City of Detroit, I extend my deepest condolences to Juan’s family, friends, and collaborators, and to music lovers everywhere who are mourning him tonight,” Sheffield said. “Detroit will honour his memory, and his music will keep moving us forward.”

Kevin Saunderson, Atkins’ fellow member of the Belleville Three, described him as a “true visionary who opened the door for so many of us, myself included.” DJ Roger Sanchez, Kenny Larkin, Fatboy Slim, Luke Slater, Kelly Lee Owens and Graziano Raffa were among the other artists to share tributes.

Owens called Atkins a “techno king”, while Fatboy Slim described him as “a true pioneer” who had opened doors for those who followed. Larkin called his death “devastating”, and Slater said he was “totally in shock” at the news.

Following Cybotron’s breakup, Atkins released tracks including “The Chase” and “No UFOs” under the Model 500 name. He also founded the Metroplex label, whose artists included DJ Bone and Anthony Shakir.

His later work included the Infiniti project and Borderland, a duo formed with Moritz Von Oswald. Cybotron reunited in 2023, with Atkins subsequently touring as part of the revived group.

Sources: NME.