Arthur Baker

A respected figure in underground dance music since the early-‘80s, producer Arthur Baker oversaw the genesis of urban-rooted styles such as electro, freestyle, and early hip-hop; his influence, partially credited for the continued popularity and mainstream acceptance of remixed music in the ‘00s. Getting his start in the early-‘70s as a Boston-based club jock, Baker soon moved into production work for the venerable New York City dance imprint, Emergency; it was there that he penned his first major hit “Happy Days,” under the alias North End. In 1982, he began a successful tenure with then up-and-coming hip-hop label Tommy Boy, recording Afrika Bambaataa and Soul Sonic Force’s indelible electro-rap classic “Planet Rock.” By the end of the ‘80s, Baker had won renown with the R&B and pop mainstreams, providing production work for artists as diverse as New Edition, Bruce Springsteen, and New Order. His influence waning by the ‘90s, Baker moved to London where he continued to DJ, produce, and run other enterprises, including a chain of soul-food restaurants and bars.