Music of Life

Music of Life is a British independent dance music label formed in 1986 by two influential DJ remixers, Froggy and Simon Harris, managed by Chris France. Following several successful productions, one of which reached No. 3 in the UK pop music charts (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,) 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.

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 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 (Million Dan), Thrashpack, Asher D and Daddy Freddy, CJ Macintosh & Einstein, She Rockers (Betty Boo), Hijack and many more.

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.Record Mirror identified Music of Life as one of the few hip hop labels "to believe in home grown talent". In 1989, Studio Week magazine called Music of Life "the foremost rap label in this country at the moment."

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