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Simon Harris Interview

interview 0054 added 26.02.01 words Karnage

"Music Of Life aint shit to me", harsh lyrics from Blade but who am I to argue. From underground stalwart to bona fide pop star, he's a working class hero (when I'm dishing out Worther's orginals to my grandchildren, I'll tell them about the legendary emcee known as Blade, who robbed the rich and gave to the poor) but I digress....
If you've never heard of the Music of Life label then you must of heard of some of the legendary artists it had on it's roster; Hijack, Demon Boyz, Hardnoise. If you've never heard of any of these artists then you're on the wrong website, bugger off to www.ukrnb.com (if such a nightmare place exists).
Music of Life ran tings for years, to coin a phrase, they virtually were the UK rap scene between 1987 and 1992. And the man behind the scenes, the Richard Branson behind the Virgin, the Alex Ferguson behind the Manchester UTD, the Les Dawson behind the Blankety Blank (fuck Liley Savage)... forget the upstart Richard Blackwood, Simon Harris ran the show.
Mr Harris took some time out from producing hard house and porn dvd's (or is that house and hard porn dvd's) to reveal how Hijack were unprofessional (Agent Clueso maybe but as for the others... surely not), how the She Rockers were like little school girls (that would make a good 'arty' DVD if ever there was one, I think Proffessor Griff has already put his name down) and how aspiring emcees and DJ's can get on in the cut-throat world of UK hip hop....
Music of Life were the pioneering label of UK hip hop. What was the first group or song that compelled you to get involved with running a label and releasing a record?
I did a remix of " You to me are everything" by the real thing in 1986 and only got 300 quid while the record went to no 3 in the charts and decided to start a label. Morgan Khan at Streetsounds offered a deal and we went for it - our first release was a remix of Supernature by Cerrone.
You worked with some legendary crews such as Hijack, Demon Boyz, Hardnoise. Could you personally choose one above all the others that you thought was truly the best?
They were all really good - I like the Demon Boyz. Hijack were good but spoiled by their attitude that they thought was really cool, but really they acted like unprofessional thugs. A shame because their music was very good.
Which groups did you rate on other labels? Were there any that you tried to sign but couldn't for whatever reason?
I only rated US acts, we had all the best UK ones except maybe Merlin, London Posse and Caveman
The Kold Sweat label came out after MOL and seemed to follow your lead but, with a few notable exceptions, the production values were a bit ropey. Music of Life in general had very good production, was this important factor in what you did? How involved did you get in this process?
I don't know Kold Sweat's stuff, I did a lot of the production and mixing on MOL myself. The only secret was to keep comparing it to the American stuff and making sure ours sounded as good if possible.
Were you in any way disappointed when Hijack signed to Warners, as if you'd lost the jewel in your crown?
no - we helped them do the deal, Ice T is a friend of mine. Warners didn't sign them - he did to his Rhyme Syndicate label. Westwood introduced them.
At the time a lot of UK b-boys expected them to blow up in America which subsequently never happened. Was this naive to expect or did you share this optimism? With hindsight, could they have really cracked the US market?
Yes, it was naive to expect this, who knows what could have happened.
Will a UK crew ever break the US market in a significant way?
maybe, one day when a talented crew also knows to be very professional, that's the key to success.
Emcees like Derek B and Einstein came in for a lot of flack from some quarters. The feeling was that they were simply poor imitations of the american styles and actually set back the progress of the UK rap scene. Are you sympathetic with this view in anyway? Did you think about this at the time?
They were poor imitiations, I agree and I produced them!
I got the impression that you received some flak of your own. Was this a colour thing or a form of snobbery that resented the fact that your own recordings and remixes did well in the pop market?
I made a lot of mistakes in making pop records that were not successful and in hindsight would not make this mistake again, I don't know if it was a colour thing or not, there is always jealousy but I don't take things like this personally and I don't care what the rap community thinks of me.
Proffessor Griff produced some of the She Rockers stuff. How did you get him involved and did you have any other links with Public Enemy?
The She Rockers met Griff in Mcdonalds and talked him into working with them (he fancied them) I just helped out. I sacked the She Rockers because they threw fits in the studio. I liked them all seperately but together they were like a gang of naughty schoolgirls. I know Chuck D, Griff and Flav.
Groups like Killa Instinct, First Frontal Assault and Hardnoise all made absolutely wicked 12inches but never progressed to making an album. Why was that?
they all produced themselves and never gave us an album.
Would you say the UK hardcore style that catorgorised so many bands at the time originated at Music of Life? Were you conscious in defining this particular style?
We were the first ones doing it, if others followed thats a nice compliment.
It kinda died after about 92, why do you think that was?
I got bored with all the stupid shit.
Do you keep in contact with any of the rappers or deejays that you worked with?
I still speak to Duke, Derek B and that's about it!
Do you still follow the UK hip hop scene?
No, I don't have any interest in it whatsoever.
How does it compare to the period between 1987-1992? Who do you rate now?
I don't listen to any of it now, nor do I intend to.
Have you been tempted to step back into the ring and sign a new hip hop band and release some new tunes?
Under no circumstances whatsoever!
Any advice to any UK emcees or DJ's that are trying to get on now?
Do some Hard House music - I'm serious!
What are you up to at the moment? What releases should readers of the UKHH.com site be looking out for?
I'm making Hard House and progressive club music & remixes.
I know you are heavily involved in other things as well as just releasing records. Could you elaborate on that?
I make Hard House, I produce porno DVD's (I have a DVD label called BAD DVD) and websites/new media
How much money did you make from the Super Mario song? Can I lend a tenner?
I made Ł14.32 and I've spent it all on sweets.
Are there any shout-outs you wish to make?
everyone who knows me!
Soooo on that bomb shell, one time svengali of the UK hip hop flag ship that was Music of Life has shunned our religion for the heretical teachings of house music. What next? Kamanchi Sly turning into a Garage MC? It really really really could happen.....