Norman Cook

Media-friendly Brighton (UK)-based DJ, producer, artist and label owner, who has enjoyed UK chart hits under more pseudonyms than anyone else.

Born 31 July 1963, he first came to public attention in the mid-80s as bassist of popular indie guitar band The Housemartins, but was already DJing and producing dance music on the side. Began recording solo when the Housemartins split in 1988, before forming the group Beats International and proving his ability as a dance mastermind with a UK number one hit, "Dub Be Good To Me", an unashamedly commercial disc which to a large extent set the tone for his future career. Whether recording jazz-funk with Freakpower, euphoric house as Pizzaman or sample-heavy big beat as Fatboy Slim, Cook has always been a producer with a commercial ear, which has been both his strength and weakness.

An artist who makes no apologies for embracing the mainstream, he has achieved success on his own terms and become one of the biggest-selling artists in the dance field.