Intuitive Music

Arthur Baker

Born in Boston, Massachussets, USA, in 1955, Arthur Baker was witness of the early hip hop scene in New York’s Bronx, and was co-author along with Afrika Bambaataa of the electro classic “Planet Rock”.

Arthur Baker became one of the main keys of the Newyorkian electro scene from the 80’s. In 1981, he moved to New York starting a career as a producer, producing his first successful single “Happy Days”, released on North End on Emergency Records.

A year later Baker, Baker started a collaboration with the hip hop label Tommy Boy Records, producing the legendary Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force’s “Planet Rock” single, which is considered as the milestone of electro music.

In 1989, Arthur Baker launched the Minnimal label, and a several projects under the aliases of Jack E. Makossa, Wally Jum Jr. & The Criminal Element, and Criminal Element Orchestra. He also signed artists like the Beastie Boys and New Edition to his new Streetwise label.

In the 90’s, Baker quit the music industry temporarily and moved to London to established a chain of popular bars called The Elbow Rooms.

Arthur Baker has also worked with artists such as François Kervorkian, Keith LeBlanc, Naked Eyes, and Deborah Harry.