Founded in 1986 by Simon Harris and DJ Froggy, Music of Life was managed by Chris France. Following Froggy’s departure, Harris shifted its focus to hip-hop and UK rap, drawing on US recordings licensed from Powerplay for the label’s debut compilation, Def Beats 1. That release also included a track recorded in London by A&R representative Derek Boland and produced by Harris. After StreetSounds’ collapse during 1986’s closing months, the label issued Def Beats One and Derek B’s “Rock the Beat,” then signed acts including Demon Boyz and Daddy Freddy.
Music of Life issued early recordings by UK performers including Hijack and other British hip-hop acts. Hijack’s debut single, “Style Wars,” came out in 1988, followed the next year by “Hold No Hostage” and “Doomsday of Rap.” Harris produced twelve installments of the Beats, Breaks & Scratches series, while the Hard as Hell compilations featured performers from Britain and the United States. In 1989, the label started Living Beat, a sister imprint for dance music, house and pop. Music of Life released Ashley Walters and Daddy Freddy “Summertime” in 1988 and Daddy Freddy “Haul and Pull” in 2013. Its roster also included Tenor Fly.
