American music producer and DJ Juan Atkins, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of techno music, has died at the age of 64.
According to AFP, the influential Detroit musician was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Mexico City ahead of a scheduled performance.
His management agency, Greensmith Artists, confirmed his death on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Atkins was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Juan Atkins dies ahead of Mexico City performance
The musician had been scheduled to perform at YuYu Cine Club before the incident.
His agency confirmed the circumstances surrounding his death in a statement to electronic music publication Resident Advisor.
Greensmith Artists also paid tribute to the late producer through a message shared on Instagram.
“So many years. So many stages. So many moments we’ll never forget. And somehow, we always thought there would be more,” the agency wrote.
The statement reflected on Atkins’ influence and the many years he spent performing around the world.
The agency did not provide a confirmed medical cause of death.
Juan Atkins helped pioneer techno music
Born in Detroit in 1962, Atkins developed an interest in electronic music and sound production at an early age.
He later became associated with fellow musicians Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, collectively known as the Belleville Three.
The trio are widely credited with laying the foundations of Detroit techno.
Atkins began his recording career in 1980 when he formed the electronic music group Cybotron with Richard Davis.
The duo released Clear in 1983, a track that subsequently became influential in the development of electronic dance music.
Atkins later recorded under the name Model 500 and established the Metroplex record label.
He also helped popularise the term techno through his work during the 1980s.
Music industry pays tribute to techno pioneer
Following the announcement of his death, musicians and fans paid tribute to Atkins for his contributions to electronic music.
Kevin Saunderson described him as a visionary whose influence extended across generations.
“Juan was the originator of Techno, a true visionary who opened the door for so many of us, myself included,” Saunderson said.
Atkins’ music influenced several generations of producers and contributed to the international growth of electronic dance music.
His death marks the loss of one of the key figures associated with the origins of the techno genre.
