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{{Short description|British independent music label}}
{{distinguish|Music Life}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{advertUse dmy dates|date=NovemberDecember 20112019}}
'''Music of Life''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] independent [[record label|dance music label]] formed in 1986 by two influential DJ remixers, [[DJ Froggy|Froggy]] and [[Simon Harris]], managed by Chris France.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ukhh.com/features/oldinterviews/musicoflife.html|title=Music of Life, the first UK Hip Hop label|last=Les Dawtin|first=KARNAGE|date=17 July 2008|work=ukhh.com|accessdate=2001-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Goodyer, Tim|date=1 September 1989|title=The Bass has arrived|magazine=Music Technology|page=42}}</ref> Following several successful productions, one of which reached No3 in the UK pop music charts ([[The Real Thing (group)|The Real Thing]]'s 'You to me are Everything') Harris and Froggy decided to launch their own label, they were offered a label deal by [[Morgan Khan]] (Streetwave) and the first release was a remix by the duo of [[Cerrone]]'s 'Supernature' (his 'Music of Life song was the inspiration for the label name). Within a few months Froggy left the label and Streetwave went out of business. Harris being active in remixing and production for many other artists and labels financed the label with his remix income. After the demise of Streetwave Harris and France decided to re-launch as a British hip-hop (usually '''UK Hip Hop''',<ref name="brithop">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4455862.stm |title=BBC News website: Is UK on Verge of Brithop boom |first=Ian |last=Youngs |date=21 November 2005 |accessdate=1 November 2006}}</ref>) music label. Music of Life opened an office in London's [[Soho]] at 22 Hanway Street, Chris France and his sister Michelle spent their days in the busy Soho office whilst Simon could usually be found in his home studio 'The Bunker' producing many of the Music of Life releases.
 
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->
At first the label licensed new rap music from US production company Powerplay for the first compilation album 'Def Beats 1' but as an addition to the US material Harris produced an extra track, under his own 'Music of Life Productions' recorded in London by the label's A&R man Derek Boland. 'Rock the Beat' by Derek B<ref>{{cite journal|author=Schramm, Paul|date=27 August 1988|title=Music of Life special: Part Four: Simon Harris|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/17/british-rapper-derek-b-dies|title=British Rapper Derek B Dies at 44=Sean Michaels|first=Guardian|date=17 November 2008|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2009-11-17}}</ref> created a demand for British [[hip-hop]] and the demo tapes started to arrive, Music of Life signed the best artists instead of licensing more US material and Harris would produce many new songs featuring artists including M.C Duke, The [[Demon Boyz]]<ref>{{cite journal|author=Dine, Simon|date=27 July 1987|title=Kings of UK Rap|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=35}}</ref> (Million Dan), Thrashpack, Asher D and [[Daddy Freddy]],<ref>Hesmondhalgh, David and Caspar Melville. "Urban Breakbeat Culture: Repercussions of Hip-Hop in the United Kingdom." In Global Noise: Rap and Hip-Hop Outside the USA, 86-110. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press, 2001.</ref> CJ Macintosh & Einstein, She Rockers ([[Betty Boo]]), Hijack and many more.▼
| name = Music of Life
| image_name =
| image = MOL Logo 2024.svg
| image_bg =
| parent = [[Music Manager]] (owner)
| founded = 1986
| founder = {{hlist|Simon Harris|DJ Froggy}}
| status = Inactive
| distributor = Music Manager
| genre = [[UK rap]]
| country = United Kingdom
| location =
| url = {{URL|music-of-life.webflow.io}}
}}
 
'''Music of Life''' is a British independent [[hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[dance music]] label formed in 1986 by [[DJ Froggy|Froggy]] and [[Simon Harris (musician)|Simon Harris]], managed by Chris France.<ref name="brithop">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4455862.stm |title=BBC News website: Is UK on Verge of Brithop boom |first=Ian |last=Youngs |date=21 November 2005 |accessdate=1 November 2006}}</ref>
Many of these recordings broke ground and are still considered to be highly innovative, the first reggae/hip-hop combination (Asher D & Daddy Freddy's 'Ragamuffin Hip Hop) and [[Derek B]]'s album would be licensed to US label 'Profile' ([[Run DMC]]), Hijack would be signed to [[Ice-T]]'s Rhyme syndicate label and many more. ''[[Music Week]]'' wrote that Music of Life was "the most successful hip hop label in the UK right now", in 1988.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Schramm, Paul|date=27 August 1988|title=Music of Life special: Part One: Music of Life – the Label|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=22}}</ref> ''[[Record Mirror]]'' identified Music of Life as one of the few hip hop labels "to believe in home grown talent".<ref>{{cite journal|author=McCoulson, Paul|date=24 December 1988|title=Christmas Rapping|magazine=[[Record Mirror]]|page=11}}</ref> In 1989, ''Studio Week'' magazine called Music of Life "the foremost rap label in this country at the moment."<ref>{{cite journal|author=Jeffries, Tim|date=4 January 1989|title=Hot labels and remixers|magazine=Studio Week|page=6}}</ref>▼
 
▲At first, the label licensed new rap music from US production company Powerplay for the first compilation album ''Def Beats 1'', but as an addition to the US material, Harris produced an extra track, under his own 'Music of Life Productions' recorded in London by the label's A&R man Derek Boland. '"Rock the Beat'" by [[Derek B]]<ref>{{cite journal|author=Schramm, Paul|date=27 August 1988|title=Music of Life special: Part Four: Simon Harris|magazinejournal=[[Music Week]]|page=27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=httphttps://www.guardian.cotheguardian.ukcom/music/2009/nov/17/british-rapper-derek-b-dies|title=British Rapper Derek B Dies at 44|author=Sean Michaels|first=Guardian|date=17 November 2008|work=The Guardian|accessdate=17 November 2009-11-17}}</ref> created a demand for British [[hip-hop]] and; the demo tapes started to arrive, Music of Lifelabel signed the best artists instead of licensing more US material and Harris would produce many new songs featuring artists including M.C Duke, Thethe [[Demon Boyz]]<ref>{{cite journal|author=Dine, Simon|date=27 July 1987|title=Kings of UK Rap|magazinejournal=[[Music Week]]|page=35}}</ref> (Million Dan), Thrashpack, Asher D and [[Daddy Freddy]],.<ref>Hesmondhalgh, David and Caspar Melville. "Urban Breakbeat Culture: Repercussions of Hip-Hop in the United Kingdom." In Global Noise: Rap and Hip-Hop Outside the USA, 86-11086–110. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press, 2001.</ref> CJ Macintosh & Einstein, She Rockers ([[Betty Boo]]), Hijack and many more.
So far the Music of Life catalog of recordings and copyrights under Music of Life Productions and released on many labels worldwide including Music of Life have exceeded 2000 titles and include music videos and documentary TV shows ('Kings of Rap' - [[MTV]]).
 
▲Many of these recordings broke ground and are still considered to be highly innovative, the first reggae/hip-hop combination (Asher D & Daddy Freddy's 'Ragamuffin Hip Hop) and [[Derek B]]'s album would be licensed to US label 'Profile' ([[Run DMC]]), Hijack would be signed to [[Ice-T]]'s Rhyme syndicate label and many more. ''[[Music Week]]'' wrote in 1988 that Music of Life was "the most successful hip hop label in the UK right now.", in 1988.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Schramm, Paul|date=27 August 1988|title=Music of Life special: Part One: Music of Life – the Label|magazinejournal=[[Music Week]]|page=22}}</ref> ''[[Record Mirror]]'' identified Music of Life as one of the few hip hop labels "to believe in home grown talent"."<ref>{{cite journal|author=McCoulson, Paul|date=24 December 1988|title=Christmas Rapping|magazinejournal=[[Record Mirror]]|page=11}}</ref> In 1989, ''Studio Week'' magazine called Music of Life "the foremost rap label in this country at the moment."<ref>{{cite journal|author=Jeffries, Tim|date=4 January 1989|title=Hot labels and remixers|magazinejournal=Studio Week|page=6}}</ref>
Music of Life is one of the UK's longest running independent dance music labels (1986–present day) and the catalog has been licensed and released in over 70 countries with many chart hits including the UK, Germany, Japan, France and the USA (Harris's 'Bass' how low can you go? was a No1 Billboard US chart hit) and many [[Grammy]] award winning artists (Luthor Vandross, REM, Beastie Boys, Beck) have licensed from the Music of Life catalog.
 
SisterFurthermore, in 1989, Music of Life expanded its portfolio with the launch of its sister label, 'Living Beat'.<ref>{{Cite wasweb launched|title=Living inBeat 1989|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/6453-Living-Beat-Records and|access-date=28 wouldFebruary release2024 many|website=[[Discogs]]}}</ref> Specialising in dance music, house, and pop recordings, withLiving Beat achieved chart success includingwith 'releases such as "[[Supermarioland (song)|Supermarioland]]'", reachingwhich No6reached inNo. 9 on the UK popSingles chartsChart.<ref>{{Cite withweb |date=2011-05-29 |title=Archive Chart |url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/1/1992-11-07 |access-date=2024-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529092924/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/1/1992-11-07 |archive-date=29 May 2011 }}</ref> Notable contributions include Harris's AKAcollaboration with Nintendo under the pseudonym 'Ambassadors of Funk' in association with [[Nintendo]], [[Samantha Fox]]'s Song for Europe entry '"Go for the Heart'", and wasfacilitating instrumentalPrince's infirst helpingUK No. 1 single, "[[PrinceThe (musician)|Prince]]Most achieveBeautiful hisGirl firstin UKthe No1World pop(Prince single 'song)|The Most Beautiful Girl in the World']]".
 
Harris also produced the world's best selling series of 'Breakbeat' albums used by DJs and producers, 'Beats Breaks and Scratches' in 12 volumes and worked with top artists Norman Cook ([[Fatboy Slim]]), [[Paul Oakenfold]], [[Afrika Bambaataa]] and [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] to produce and release similar albums that are part of the Music of Life catalog. Music of Life is now a registered trademark.
 
The label's founder, Harris, is credited with producing a series of breakbeat albums, comprising 12 volumes of ''Beats, Breaks & Scratches''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=the breakbeat store - the ultimate breakbeats, loops, scratches and samples |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020906002535fw_/http://www.musicoflife.com/beatsbreaks.htm |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> Collaborations with prominent artists such as [[Norman Cook]] (Fatboy Slim), [[Paul Oakenfold]], [[Afrika Bambaataa]], and [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] have resulted in the production and release of similar influential albums, all of which formed an integral part of the Music of Life catalogue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beats,Breaks & Scratches - The Breakbeat Store |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020906000039fw_/http://www.musicoflife.com/ncookcd.htm |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beats,Breaks & Scratches - The Breakbeat Store |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020912020243fw_/http://www.musicoflife.com/oakenfoldcd.htm |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>
 
==Artists roster==
The Music of Life catalog includes songs from:
{{Div col|3colwidth=22em}}
*M.C.[[MC Duke]] & D.J.[[DJ Leader 1]]
*[[She Rockers]] (featuring *[[Betty Boo]])▼
*Thrashpack
▲*She Rockers (featuring *[[Betty Boo]])
*[[Daddy Freddy]]
*[[Asher D (rapper)|Asher D]]
*[[Tenor Fly]]
*[[Nitty Gritty]]
*[[Derek B]]
*[[Hijack (group)|Hijack]]
*[[Hardnoise]]
*3 Knights
*DJ Daddy
*Leslie Lyrics
*[[Norman Cook]]
*[[Paul Oakenfold]]
*[[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]]
*[[Simon Harris (musician)|Simon Harris]] (label founder)
*[[Ambassadors of Funk]]▼
*Einstein
▲*Ambassadors of Funk
*[[Afrika Bambaataa]]
*[[Demon Boyz]]
*[[Professor Griff]]
*[[Clyde Stubblefield]]
*Killa Instinct
*S.L. Troopers
*First Frontal Assault
*Kobalt 60
*[[Overlord X]]
{{Divdiv col end}}
 
== See also ==
* [[ListLists of record labels]]
 
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
 
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021003075211/http://www.musicoflife.com Music of Life Officialarchived official Websitesite]▼
{{Div col|3}}
▲* [http://www.musicoflife.com Music of Life Official Website]
* [[British hip hop|British Hip Hop reference]]
* [http://www.harrismix.com Simon Harris Blog site]
* [http://www.discogs.com/label/Music+Of+Life Music of Life on Discogs]
* [http://heroesofukhiphop.com/MusicOfLife.htm Heroes of UK Hip Hop's Music of Life links page]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/138107549591266/ Music of Life's new Facebook group]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/17/derek-b-obituary Derek B's Obituary in The Guardian]
* [http://www.last.fm/label/Music+of+Life Music of Life on LastFM]
* [http://rateyourmusic.com/label/music_of_life Music of Life on rateyourmusic.com]
* [http://www.ukhh.com/features/oldinterviews/musicoflife.html UKHH.com]
* [http://whenintime.com/tl/label/Music_of_Life/ When in Time's Music of Life Timeline page]
* [http://mog.com/blog_posts/1268016 Music of Life on the MOG Music Network]
* [http://www.theunsignedguide.com/news/item.asp?id=1279 Music of Life at the 2010 IMPALA awards]
* [http://www.harrismix.com/about/ Simon Harris and Music of Life on Harrismix.com]
* [http://coldrockdaspot.blogspot.com/2011/01/old-school-uk-hip-hop-special-interview.html Cold Rock The Spot]
* [http://www.inmyradio.com/web/?p=1834 Italia Network]
* [http://old.britishhiphop.co.uk/ukhiphop/story/false_dawn.htm Old British Hip-Hop]
* [http://www.pauzeradio.com/jah-reggae-artist-daddy_freddy.php Daddy Freddy on PauzeRadio]
* [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/619/mc_duke_the_originator MC Duke Blues and Soul]
* [http://www.infivestudios.com/category/genres infivestudios history of British Hip Hop page]
* [http://www.groovecollector.com/mp/label/music-of-life/ Groove Collector]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/be0363b0-35ca-41c7-9770-17f73deb77e7 BBC Music]
* [http://www.thenewblackmagazine.com/view.aspx?index=1294 Music of Life and the importance of British Hip Hop]
* [http://discoscratch.co.uk/2010/02/13/simon-harris-on-dj-semtex/ Music of Life Discoscratch]
* [http://britcorereviews.blogspot.com/2008/09/mc-duke-organised-rhyme-music-of-life.html MC Duke on Britcore]
{{Div col end}}
 
{{Music of the United Kingdom}}
{{UK music}}
{{hiphop}}
{{Black British topics}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:British record labels]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1986]]
[[Category:HipBritish hip hop record labels]]
[[Category:IFPI members]]
[[Category:British hip hop]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Life"