Hyperdub vocalist Stephen Samuel Gordon, better known as The Spaceape, has died. The record label confirmed that the poet and MC had passed away peacefully after suffering a rare form of cancer.

"Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and all who have been touched by his writings and performances," the label write. "His Hyperdub family will always miss him."

The Spaceape was a close collaborator of Hyperdub founder Kode9. Their track "Sine of the Dub" was the first release on the label, and the pair went on to record Memories of the Future (2006) and Black Sun (2011) together. The Spaceape had just released his new EP with Kode9, Killing Season, on Monday.

Jerry Dammers, founder of the Specials and 2 Tone, paid tribute to the Spaceape today. The two played alongside Dammers' band the Spatial AKA Orchestra, including the finale of the Love Music Hate Racism festival in 2008. "Stephen was not only a very pleasant and humble person, but remained incredibly brave and positive in the face of his terrible illness," Dammers said. "In my view, he produced with Kode9 amongst the very best, if not THE best, in so called 'popular' music from this country, in the last twenty years."

"Today I feel a mixture of sadness and anger at the unfairness that someone so talented has died so very young, when he still really wanted, and was very able, to give so much more, and before he received the full recognition he deserved."

The musician leaves behind his wife Luciana and six-year-old daughter.