Danielle Moore, lead singer and frontwoman of the electronic group Crazy P, has died at the age of 52. In a statement posted to Instagram, the band confirmed that she had died in “sudden and tragic circumstances” on August 30.
“We cannot believe the news ourselves and we know it will be the same for all of you,” they wrote. “She gave us so much and we love her so much. Our hearts are broken. We need time to process that this has happened. Danielle lived a life driven by love, compassion, community and music. She lived the biggest of lives. We will miss her with all our hearts.”
Chris Todd and Jim Baron formed Crazy P (formerly known as Crazy Penis) after meeting at the University of Nottingham in 1995. Bringing together elements of soul, disco, and house music, the outfit caught the attention of Manchester label Paper Recordings and released their debut album, A Nice Hot Bath With…, in 1999. In 2002, the band’s lineup expanded with the addition of Moore, bassist Tim Davies, and percussionist Mav Kendricks, and they went on to release seven more studio LPs.
Raised in Manchester, Moore was one of the most acclaimed vocalists in the UK dance music scene, and also worked as a solo DJ. “Performing is everything,” she is quoted as saying in a press bio. “When I’m performing, I feel like I’ve stepped into my alter ego and am able to take on any mood. It’s very empowering to become detached from my own slightly vulnerable self.”
In an interview with Disco Pogo last year, Moore said: “I’m 52 this year, and I sometimes find myself up against the idea that I’m not ‘steady’ or ‘settled’. I’ve experienced more than a few raised eyebrows. But I know I’m so lucky with my life. Would I swap those travels and memories and music for anything? Would I fuck!”