Freestylers

This hip-hop/rock crossover band comprises Matt Cantor, Aston Harvey and Andrew Galea and was formed in London in 1996. All three were involved in the UK's dance music scene in the late-80s. Harvey had written the 1990 breakbeat classic "Don't Hold Back' as the Blapps! Posse and had worked with the Rebel MC and Definition Of Sound. The band's name came from their first sample " "Don't Stop the Rock' " and they released their first single "Drop The Boom (AK-48)" on their own label, Scratch City Records in 1996. Using the vocoder, the track was old school electro and became an underground club classic. In late 1996, they released The Freestyle EP and had a chart hit and Top Of The Pops television appearance with "B-Boy Stance", featuring the vocalist Tenor Fly. Following this, they completed various remix projects, including those for Audioweb, Afrika Bambaataa and the Jungle Brothers. They also mixed the Ministry Of Sound's big beat compilation FSUK 2 and played an "Essential Mix" for the UK's BBC Radio 1. They also made live appearances on the European festival circuit, including the Glastonbury Festival. Their debut, We Rock Hard was released in 1998 to a positive critical reception. The same year the trio won the UK's Muzik magazine's award for Best Band.