| Simon Harris is predominantly known as the founder of the British hip hop record label Music of Life, although he is also an influential DJ, award winning producer of million selling hit records, remixer of several Grammy Award winning artists and pioneer of electronic music.Originally a DJ from Chigwell, Essex (UK) Simon started selling
professional audio equipment in London's Tottenham Court Road before becoming
a club promoter. In 1983 during his DJ residency at Legends in London's West End Simon was approached by Tony Prince and invited to become one of the original
remixers for DMC (Disco Mix Club - now the world's largest DJ association).
Simon then joined forces with BBC Radio 1 DJ Froggy (1949-2008) and was commissioned
for many hit remixes for major labels including Polydor (James Brown,
Roy Ayers), Chrysalis (Doug E Fresh), A&M (Jeffrey Osbourne), EMI, BMG,
Columbia, Island, London and the first officially released Elvis Presley
extended 12 inch version (Bossa Nova Baby - RCA and 'Latino' Elvis CD)
also PRT for The Real Thing's 'You to
me are everything' remix (UK No3 Pop hit). In 1986 Simon and Froggy
started their own independent label 'Music of Life',
the label was initially distributed by Morgan Khan's 'Streetwave' group
and the first releases were from Cerrone (Supernature) and Michael
Jackson's sister Latoya.
Within a short time Froggy left to persue other projects and Music of
Life became one of the UK's first rap/hip-hop labels initially licensing
US product and then with Simon producing many British rap artists
including the label's A&R executive Derek B, Asher D & Daddy Freddy, M.C Duke, Tenor Fly, Hijack, She Rockers (Betty Boo), Demon Boyz (Million
Dan) and Einstein (Technotronic) who later rapped on the UK Top 10 (and licensed into
many European countries and Japan) hit 'Supermarioland' (Nintendo) for
Simon's 'Ambassadors of Funk'. With sister label 'Living Beat' there
would also be many projects with artists including Samantha Fox (Song
for Europe), Rolf Harris (BBC TV), Dina Carrol, Jocelyn Brown and Joyce
Sims. Also via Germany's Edel, Simon would remix the UK no1 Pop hit 'The
Most Beautiful Girl in the World' by Prince.
Simon Harris also produced many breakbeat albums designed for DJ's and
producers including 'Beats. Breaks and Scratches' in 12 volumes which
would be licensed and used by many Grammy Award winning artists
including REM, Luthor Vandross, Beastie Boys and many more. Other artists who would
produce similar albums for Music of Life would include Paul Oakenfold,
George Clinton (Parliament) and Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim).
Simon continued to remix and produce many artists, Simon Cowell
(American Idol) commissioned him to remix Sinitta's 'Window Shopping'
for his Fanfare label and shortly thereafter Pete Tong (BBC Radio 1)
signed Simon as an artist to his Polygram FFRR label. The first release
would be a rap version of Michael Jackson's BAD (Bad on the Mike) which
would be followed by 'Bass (how low can you go?)' and achieve US
Billboard Dance No1 status and be a pop hit in many countries including
the UK (no 11 Pop hit) with an appearance by Simon on 'Top of the Pops'
(BBC1). FFRR released Simon's 'Bass' album next followed by more singles
including Marshall Jefferson's 'I've got your Pleasure control' (with
Lonnie Gordon) and 'Here comes that Sound' (UK Pop top 40 hit).
Simon's career has been varied and has also included pop video (Daddy
Freddy, Joyce Sims) and Radio and TV commercial production (Kiss FM,
CDWOW, Coca Cola) several TV documentaries including RUN DMC (Kings of
Rap), broadcast on MTV in the US and REM!X (featuring Derek B, Frankie Knuckles,
David Morales, Jason Nevins, Arthur Baker, Norman Cook, Paul Oakenfold
and more).
Harris has sustained a 30 year production career which has so far resulted in the sales of millions of records and CD's, greatly impacting the global music marketplace, his work is varied and has included music video (Daddy Freddy, Joyce Sims), Radio and TV commercial production (KISS-FM, CD WOW!, Coca-Cola) and several TV documentaries including Run-D.M.C. (Kings of Rap, broadcast on MTV in the US) and REM!X (featuring Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Jason Nevins, Arthur Baker, Norman Cook, Paul Oakenfold and more). In addition Harris's productions are currently featured on many motion picture and TV soundtracks.
He continues to actively produce and latest projects include Emenence Music, with new remixes of 'Bass' and Sonic Zero featuring legendary NY rapper Roxanne Shanté. In March 2008 Harris attended CRS in Nashville USA and is currently working on projects for US based KIC Media, Internal Bass, Honky Tonk TV, The Red Neck Crew and Nashville's Ty Williams. 2008 is looking like another busy year with many exciting productions already underway. |
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