Blockhead is the stage name of James Anthony Simon, an American hip-hop DJ and producer from Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Son to a well-known sculptor and a social worker, Simon grew up in Manhattan, New York and immersed himself in the lyricism and music of hip hop. His first musical endeavour came as the group the Overground where Simon and friends first made music in their early teens. In 1994 Simon enrolled at Boston University, though the producer dropped out after only a year, it was in Boston he met Aesop Rock. Also a student at Boston University, Simon and Aesop Rock began working together after which Simon dropped the idea of becoming an MC and focused his time on producing.
In 1999 Simon made his production debut on the Aesop Rock track “1,000 Deaths” from his “Appleseed” album and produced the majority of his subsequent releases including the album “Float” in 2000, “Labor Days” in 2001 and a number of tracks on his 2002 album “Daylight”. The producer has also worked with the rappers Cage, Hangar 18 and Open Mike Eagle and is a member f the comedy hip-hop group Party Action Committee.
In 2004 Mush Records asked Simon to create an entirely instrumental album and as a result the producer crafted “Music by Cavelight”. After its completion however Mush Records stopped returning his calls and Simon sent into to other labels before Ninja Tune offered to release it. The release has led to a string of similar material including “Downtown Science” in 2005, “Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book” in 2007, “The Music Scene” in 2009, “Interludes After Midnight” in 2012 and “Bells and Whistles” in 2014.
Will Clarke
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