Jaime Yates Memorial Scholarship Fund

 Hello Friends and Music Lovers!

 

This year marks the second annual Jaime Yates Memorial Music Scholarship.

On January 26th, 2018, our son, Jaime, passed peacefully. He was 33 years old. Jaime was a wonderful son, an exceptional friend, and a beautiful human. We are Jaime's parents, Dylan and Jo-El. We are gathering funds for a music scholarship to honor our son Jaime's musical legacy.

 

Unfortunately, Jaime was taken from us too soon, but he achieved many of his dreams in his brief time here. He lived a life filled with music, art, travel, DJ'ing, producing, and developing music for clubs, radio, festivals, and video games. He was known professionally as DJ Critical. There are so many stories of his exceptional kindness, compassion, and incredible generosity towards other friends, family members, and even strangers. He was our joy and our light in the darkness. Jaime was the human embodiment of a wondrous fireworks show. So magical! He will always be greatly loved and dearly missed.

 

One of Jaime's many achievements was the award of a full scholarship to the Nimbus School of Recording and Media. When he graduated, he secured a video sound production position for Microsoft's Gears of War in The Coalition group in 2017.

 

The first music scholarship was awarded to a Nimbus School of Recording and Media student. Students entered by submitting a project that focused on a theme utilizing music, video, writing, or any expressive art project. The first year's theme was Love, Peace, and Unity. The winner was announced on Jaime's birthday, May 18th, 2022.

In 2023, the Nimbus School was closed due to financial issues following the Covid Pandemic Crisis. As a result, we found a new, more permanent spot to continue Jaime's music scholarship at Belmont Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, where Jaime attended his last three years of high school and enjoyed the music program. His music scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in the Music Composition and Production/Electronic Music program and courses.

 

You can find Jaime (DJ Critical), on many online radio sites, including Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Beatport, and YouTube. An alternative way to support this fundraiser is by purchasing Critical's first posthumous release, Never Letting Go, which features some of his best electronic hits. Purchase Never Letting Go through this link to Jaime's music: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/critical5/never-letting-go

100% of all proceeds from the sale of Jaime's music, minus taxes, are donated to this fundraiser.

 

DJ Critical has been featured in Beatport's Top 100 Dubstep, Breaks, and Glitch Hop charts. His remix of MELT made it to #1 on the TrackItDown Dubstep top 100. Early vinyl work led to radio play from BBC Radio One on the legendary Annie Nightingale's show (UK), radio play and a tour in Spain, and a guest mix for The Crystal Method on the weekly "Community Service" show Sirius Satellite Radio. In addition, Critical has done remix work for Playma and had his music remixed by artists such as Calvertron and Nom De Strip. Support from The Crystal Method, Downlink, Afghan Headspin, Reso, Hellfire Machina, Nom De Strip, Reid speed, Peo De Pitte, Kairo Kingdom, Annie Nightingale, Featurecast, Kid Panel, and more.

 

Thank you for helping us honor Jaime's legacy in this way. He devoted his life to composing, mixing, and producing music. He would have loved nothing better than to see another music lover given the same opportunity he had to build a career in music.

Here's a link to his YouTube page featuring private family and friend photos, club posters from his local and global club shows, records and music charts, and publicity stills. From his posthumous release, Never Letting Go, his single, NEVER LETTING GO, provides the background music: https://youtu.be/EJz8GJh4QN4

Please note: no giveaways can be offered in exchange for a donation made to this GoFundMe page.