Swiss techno DJ and producer Aldanya dies after cancer battle

Swiss techno DJ and producer Aldanya, real name Crystal Margaret, has died following a battle with cancer.

Margaret’s family confirmed that she passed away on Sunday (January 19), after fighting an “aggressive form of breast cancer”. “We are all heartbroken,” they wrote in a statement to Mixmag.

“She was the kindest, most generous, talented, and beautiful person and many more countless qualities,” they continued. “Crystal leaves behind a legacy, she was loved by so many, and she will be in our hearts for as long as we live.”

Margaret’s first exposure to music began at home, where she played classical piano in her childhood. In her teenage years, she then developed an interest in dance music and taught herself to DJ, before later studying at London’s Point Blank Music School.

Developing the stage name Aldanya, Margaret would become known for producing techno and house music, playing at esteemed venues in the capital including Fabric, FOLD, Werkhaus, Village Underground, Warm Up Festival, and The Steelyard.

Tributes from the techno community have been pouring in across social media, with Eclectic Zoo Events writing that they were “heartbroken” to hear the news. “She will be remembered as someone who was there for everyone, someone who was caring for her friends and always expanding new ideas how to improve music industry,” they wrote. “She will be missed a lot.”

“It’s a huge shock and a real tragedy, Crystal was a lovely person and a very talented DJ and producer,” Balrog, head of Khazad – a UK label that released her music – said in a statement to Mixmag. “She will be a massive loss to the scene. My thoughts go out to her friends and family.”

Warm Up, a London rave community, also shared a tribute to Margaret, writing: “Her infectious passion for music was always evident in her powerful performances that captured so many hearts. She was a truly beautiful human who radiated love, warmth and kindness.” DJ Ebra Al wrote: “World lost you far far too early. I love you and you will never be forgotten. Rest in music, my beautiful friend.”

We are absolutely devastated to share and mourn the sudden passing of 1 of our MadMaXXX DJ warriors, DJ Alaya (also DJ Aldanya), AKA Crystal Manias. I am deeply shocked & shaken by this recent news.
Crystal had been sadly ill and in quiet mode for some time, & was on a promising… pic.twitter.com/Ckq7ZaiLCA

— Fox&Badge (@FoxandBadge) January 20, 2025

Margaret was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and those close to her raised £15,000 through a fundraiser to help finance her treatment and recovery.