Simon Harris helped build UK hip hop from the ground up — not just as a producer, but as a visionary who gave British rap its own voice, infrastructure, and identity. When the scene was still finding its feet, he was already laying foundations that would support generations to come.
From the explosive energy of Bass (How Low Can You Go) — a track that shook dancefloors, pushed sonic boundaries, and became one of the defining sounds of late-80s hip hop — to his countless productions shaping the raw, unmistakable sound of British rap, Simon’s fingerprints are everywhere in the culture.
As founder of the legendary Music of Life label, he didn’t just make records — he created pathways. He championed homegrown talent when few others would, helping launch and develop artists who would define an era, including Derek B, MC Duke, Hijack, and Demon Boyz. His studio became a creative engine, producing hard-hitting beats, fearless experimentation, and collaborations that helped UK hip hop stand proudly on its own terms.
He believed British hip hop didn’t need to imitate — it needed to innovate. And he made that happen. Through his productions, his label, and his relentless drive, he helped turn a movement into a lasting culture.
His legacy lives in every artist who found a voice because he made space, every producer inspired by his sound, and every fan who felt the power of UK hip hop when it first roared to life.
For everything you built, everything you shaped, and everything that continues because of you — rest in peace.
