Freestylers

Formed in 1996, the Freestylers are a cornerstone of the British breakbeat and big beat movements. Founded by Matt Cantor and Aston Harvey, the group emerged from a rich lineage of UK dance music, with members previously involved in seminal acts like Blapps!

Posse and Strike. Their sound identity is built on a foundation of 1980s hip-hop aesthetics, specifically the 'B-Boy' culture of breakdancing and scratching, recontextualized through the lens of UK rave and jungle. Their 1998 debut, 'We Rock Hard', remains a definitive text of the era, successfully bridging the gap between underground dance floors and mainstream charts in both the UK and the US. Throughout the 2000s, they evolved from a production duo into a massive 11-piece live touring band, a move that solidified their reputation for high-energy performances. Critically, they are viewed as masters of the 'breaks' genre, maintaining relevance through decades of shifting electronic trends by collaborating with diverse vocalists and embracing newer bass-heavy subgenres like dubstep and electro-house. Their influence is felt in the works of artists who prioritize rhythmic complexity and cross-genre vocal integration.