Jay Bulletproof

2022 - 9 - 30

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

New Zealand drum and bass pioneer 'Jay Bulletproof' has died ... (Stuff.co.nz)

A pioneer of early drum and bass Monds died following a brain haemorrhage. “I'm utterly devastated," his brother says.

In 2021 Monds started the podcast The History of New Zealand Drum and Bass, which he told UFK’s Dave Jenkins was started to alleviate boredom during New Zealand’s covid lock down. “He always had the heart of gold, that he once coated with a gangster hustle ... He was one of the first producers to give international attention to New Zealand drum and bass, together with groups like Concord Dawn and Shapeshifter “It's just that the music community is so small that you're friends with most people," he said. It was in 2009, still under the name Bulletproof but now working on his own, Monds made his foray into a more mainstream music world. MC Tali, whose real name is Natalia Sheppard, told Stuff she is “absolutely devastated” at the loss of her colleague and close friend of 20 years. [album Dub Me Crazy](https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/culture/performance/5665349/Bulletproof-fired-up-over-new-album), featuring tracks with award-winning artists Hollie Smith and Anika Moa. but he had the confidence in later years to let that smile and that chuckle and that giggle and that love just pour through.” He died on Thursday evening surrounded by loved ones, his family confirmed to Stuff. Dub Me Crazy peaked at number 7 on the NZ Top 40 charts. “They gave a legitimacy and a reality to the potential that you could be a New Zealand artist [and make it].” He told Stuff when he worked with Monds on the artwork, the musician wanted a cartoon of himself “looking crazy”.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

'Utterly devastated': Popular Kiwi DJ dies after brain bleed (New Zealand Herald)

Popular Kiwi DJ and producer Jay Monds - aka "Bulletproof" - has died after suffering a major brain bleed. Monds, 46, died surrounded by his family in ...

Jay was a pioneer in the drum n bass community, a proud Dad and a loyal friend. The love pouring in his direction was overwhelming. I've helped the family by fielding calls from around the country and the world, updating people in what was an increasingly bleak situation. "We'd spoken multiple times, solving some tech problems when he messaged me saying he thought he was having a stroke. When my navy doco needed a drone pilot in 2015, Jay was my guy. "The last few days have been a nightmare. Last night he was declared dead. Thank you." Monds, 46, died surrounded by his family in Tauranga Hospital overnight after suffering the brain bleed on Monday. "I'm sorry. "I am heartbroken. I'm so, so sorry.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Otago Daily Times"

'Absolute legend': Tributes flow for popular DJ who died after brain ... (Otago Daily Times)

Popular Kiwi DJ and producer Jay Monds - aka "Bulletproof" - has died after suffering a major brain bleed. Monds, 46, died in Tauranga Hospital last night ...

Jay was a pioneer in the drum n bass community, a proud Dad and a loyal friend. The love pouring in his direction was overwhelming. Catch some big fish up there big fella xx," she shared. I've helped the family by fielding calls from around the country and the world, updating people in what was an increasingly bleak situation. "We'd spoken multiple times, solving some tech problems when he messaged me saying he thought he was having a stroke. When my navy doco needed a drone pilot in 2015, Jay was my guy. "The last few days have been a nightmare. "We miss him so incredibly much. Thank you." "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. "I am heartbroken.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Newshub"

NZ drum and bass pioneer DJ Jay 'Bulletproof' dies aged 46 (Newshub)

Monds, who was known by his DJ name Jay Bulletproof, died on Thursday night having suffered a brain haemorrhage earlier in the week. His sister confirmed his ...

When my navy doco needed a drone pilot in 2015, Jay was my guy. "We'd spoken multiple times, solving some tech problems when he messaged me saying he thought he was having a stroke. "Many of you will be wondering what's happening next and how we can all farewell him. We will figure this out and let you know how you can show your love. Even through to his final breath, and beyond, he is helping others, like the absolute f**king legend he is. We need a little more time to sort out all those details so please be patient…

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

New Zealand DJ Jay Bulletproof remembered as 'loveable rogue ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Radio host General Lee broke down in tears on air remembering his friend and fellow DJ who died, aged 46.

Fellow drum and bass artist, Patrick Hawkins, one half of the duo State of Mind, told Stuff, “I learnt so much during the sessions collaborating with Jay - techniques I still use to this day. See you on the other side, me old mucker,” he said. “We'll miss you coming over to borrow the lawn mower and line trimmer and bringing them back empty every time, we'll miss that cheeky smile and twinkle in your eye ... Rest in peace brother.” I won't forget all those sweaty nights down the Fu Bar and your cheeky grin. “A loveable rogue with a heart of gold. Sending love and strength to your family.” One of the most multi talented music producers I’ve ever known,” he wrote. “He was a huge pioneer with electronic music in New Zealand and an amazingly passionate member of our industry. It gave people a shoulder.” It takes a family to make it happen, but within that family you’re going to have people like Jay ... He was a deep thinker who loved hard, loved a party ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "RNZ"

New Zealand DJ Jay Bulletproof remembered as 'loveable rogue ... (RNZ)

Radio host General Lee broke down in tears on air remembering his friend and fellow DJ who died, aged 46.

If you were a friend of Jay's, you were a friend for life." Rest in peace brother." Fellow drum and bass artist, Patrick Hawkins, one half of the duo State of Mind, told Stuff, "I learnt so much during the sessions collaborating with Jay - techniques I still use to this day. See you on the other side, me old mucker," he said. "A loveable rogue with a heart of gold. Devastated." "We'll miss you coming over to borrow the lawn mower and line trimmer and bringing them back empty every time, we'll miss that cheeky smile and twinkle in your eye ... Sending love and strength to your family." One of the most multi talented music producers I've ever known," he wrote. It gave people a shoulder." "Jay's passion for breaking new artists on his radio show was incredible ... He was a deep thinker who loved hard, loved a party ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Bharat Express News"

New Zealand DJ Jay Bulletproof remembered as 'sweet villain' who ... (The Bharat Express News)

By Amberleigh Jack of DJ Jay Monds, better known as Bulletproof, died on September 29, 2022 at the age of 46 after a severe brain haemorrhage. Photo:

“We’ll miss you to borrow the lawnmower and trimmer and bring them back empty every time, we’ll miss that cheeky smile and twinkle in your eyes… See you on the other side, old fool,” he said. Fellow drum and bass artist Patrick Hawkins, one half of the duo State of Mind, told Stuff, “I learned so much during the sessions working with Jay – techniques I still use to this day. “A lovable villain with a heart of gold. We love you,” he said before bursting into tears and unable to continue. “He was a huge pioneer of electronic music in New Zealand and an incredibly passionate member of our industry.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

'Rest in power': Tributes flow after popular Kiwi DJ dies from brain ... (New Zealand Herald)

New Zealand revolutionary drum 'n' bass DJ and producer Jay Monds, aka "Bulletproof", has died after a medical event. Photo / Jay Bulletproof.

Jay was a pioneer in the drum n bass community, a proud Dad and a loyal friend. Thank you." Others took to Twitter to share their tributes and memories of the DJ known as a pioneer of Aotearoa's drum and bass scene. "I am heartbroken. Catch some big fish up there big fella xx," she shared. "We miss him so incredibly much.

Explore the last week