Fat Boy Slim: The Godfather Of Big Beat
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Big Beat defined electronic music in the late 90s. It was a sound that emerged from England in the early to mid-90s and revolutionised the UK rave scene. The likes of The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim pushed the boundaries of music by fusing together rock, techno, rap, pop, punk, and more, creating a sonic landscape that was eclectic, unique, and ahead of its time.
Norman Quentin Cook started his career as a bassist for The Housemartins (1983-1988). The English indie rock band ruled the charts as their acapella cover of Isley-Jasper-Isley’s “Caravan of Love” became a UK number-one single.
After the breakup of his band, Cook would have his first experience with electronic music with Beats International (1989-1992) who again had a number-one hit with their single “Dub Be Good To Me” (1990).
Cook continued to explore the genre with projects like Pizzaman and The Mighty Dub Katz until he finally arrived at his alter ego, Fatboy Slim. His debut album "Better Living Through Chemistry" charted outside the UK, and his second album, "You’ve Come a Long Way Baby," turned him into an international sensation. With hits like "The Rockafeller Skank," "Right Here, Right Now," "Gangster Tripping," and “Praise You,” Fatboy Slim's tracks became certified club bangers, blasting through music channels like Channel V and MTV.
His heavy use of breakbeats and sampling of classic songs from the '60s and '70s helped popularize the big beat genre, and he has created some of the most iconic remixes for Cornershop, Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Groove Armada, and Wildchild.
Today, Fatboy Slim is widely regarded as one of the most influential electronic musicians of his generation, and his impact on the genre cannot be overstated. His use of breakbeats and sampling, combined with his catchy melodies and irreverent sense of humor, helped to shape the sound of electronic dance music in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Also read: Goa Gil - Trance music's spiritual father
Fat Boy Slim's record-Halfway between gutter and stars available now
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