Darren Dowlut, one half of Australian urban writing and production team Disco Montego, died in Sydney last Friday (Aug. 5) after a month-long battle with chest cancer. He was 26.
Mauritius-born Dowlut and his brother Dennis emerged in 2000 as Warner Music Australia-signed R&B duo Kaylan.
In 2002, they formed the Disco Montego writing and production house, developing such acts as R&B singer Jeremy Gregory, who was later signed to Warner Music in the United States.
Disco Montego’s self-titled 2003 album via their Bomb Music imprint (through Warner Music) yielded hits “Beautiful” and “Magic.” Dowlut was diagnosed with cancer in June just prior to relocating to L.A.
Disco Montego recently remixed Mariah Carey’s “Boy” track, and had been offered further remix work with Carey, Elton John and Blue.