Leke Adesoye, the visionary behind the Junglist Movement, has passed away.

Leke Adesoye, the visionary fashion designer, illustrator, and esteemed drum & bass music figure most renowned for his iconic “Junglist Movement” design, has sadly passed away.

The sad news was relayed to the public through a heartfelt message on his Facebook page: “With profound sorrow, we inform you of the departure of our cherished Leke Adesoye. On Tuesday 10th, October, he departed serenely at UCL Hospital, comforted by the presence of his loved ones, after battling a prolonged illness. Thankfully, he transitioned without experiencing pain.”

In the previous year, 2022, Adesoye faced a severe injury after a fall, necessitating hospitalization. His condition, sickle cell anemia, demanded specialized care, including blood transfusions to prevent potential organ failure. Following this, he was diagnosed with a giant cell tumor on his bone, which led to a year filled with intensive treatments. A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to alleviate the financial strains due to his inability to work, gathering an impressive sum of over £16,000 thanks to the generous contributions of numerous donors. A significant musical gesture of support came in the form of ‘The Aerosoul Album’ in May, which showcased pieces by revered artists in the drum & bass and jungle genres, such as Seba, Double O, and Harmony.

Adesoye’s indelible mark on the UK’s rave scene and further afield is irrefutable. He pioneered several clothing lines under the Aerosoul umbrella, each echoing the essence of grassroots and underground cultures. Among these were Soulero Sista, Babysoul, and his legendary Junglist Movement design. The latter found its way into popular culture in various forms, notably adorning a t-shirt in the 1990s cult film Human Traffic and as a design on face masks during the pandemic to benefit the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).

Recalling his experience, Adesoye once mentioned, “Being under the care of UCLH for over half a decade, I’m profoundly grateful to the unwavering dedication of the frontline workers. Without their efforts, many, including me, would face diminished life quality and expectancy.”

Leke’s vast creative spectrum had him collaborating with industry stalwarts such as Rodney P, Omar, Skitz, Ty, Kenny Ken, Moose, and Ron. Since the announcement of his demise, an outpouring of tributes from icons in both the music and cultural sectors has been overwhelming, with luminaries like Simon Colebrooke from 2 Bad Mice, DJ Slipmatt, and Simon ‘Bassline’ Smith expressing their condolences.