British breakbeat & Hip-Hop pioneer, Simon Harris, passed away

Renowned British producer,  DJ, label owner, and promotor, Simon Harris, has unfortunately passed away on February 13th, 2026, at the age of 63. He was best known for his 1988 hit, “Bass (How Low Can You Go?)”, as well as co-founding Music of Life label, and producing most of its catalogue. Harris began his career as a mobile DJ in 1977, and would quickly be recognized for his mixing skills. In 1981, he met Froggy, with whom he founded Music of Life in 1986. The pair also dropped a string of releases, including “You to Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix 76/86),” which reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986.

Froggy soon departed from the label and Harris became the driving force behind it. He switched its direction to Hip-Hop and released some of the earliest British works. Artists such as Derek B. Demon Boyz, Asher D and Daddy Freddy, Hijack, and She Rockers, all released music under Music of Life. Through the label, he also released “Beats, Breaks and Scratches,” a compilation series which became an essential tool for DJs. Harris himself signed for FFRR Records in 1987. Throughout his career, he was involved in dozens of remixes, including the first official remix of Elvis Presley’s “Bossa Nova Baby,” and Prince’s “Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”

His contribution to the British breakbeat and Hip-Hop scenes was nothing short of monumental.

May he rest in peace.