Fatboy Slim

Biography

Norman Quentin Cook (born Quentin Leo Cook, 31 July 1963), known professionally as Fatboy Slim, is an English musician and DJ who helped popularise the big beat genre in the 1990s. His music makes extensive use of samples from eclectic genres, combined with pop structures, processed rhythms and "sloganistic" vocals.

In 1985, Cook joined as the bassist for the indie rock band the Housemartins, who achieved a number-one single with their 1986 cover of "Caravan of Love". However, Cook was uncomfortable playing pop music. After the Housemartins disbanded, Cook moved to Brighton to pursue dance music. He formed the electronic group Beats International and produced their 1990 number-one single "Dub Be Good to Me", and played in the band Freak Power. He also released house records under names including Pizzaman and the Mighty Dub Katz.

In 1996, Cook released his first album as Fatboy Slim, Better Living Through Chemistry, followed by successful remixes for Wildchild and Cornershop. His second album, You've Come a Long Way, Baby (1998), was certified platinum and produced the successful singles "The Rockafeller Skank", "Praise You" and "Right Here, Right Now". Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars (2000) produced the single "Weapon of Choice", which won six awards at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. Palookaville (2004) was less successful, attributed to the declining popularity of dance music and a more obscure style. In 2009, Cook released an album as the Brighton Port Authority, a collaboration with artists including David Byrne. He collaborated with Byrne again on the album Here Lies Love (2010), a concept album that was adapted into a stage musical in 2013. Cook has since focused on DJ performances over creating music.

Cook has a Grammy Award, nine MTV Video Music Awards, two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award, and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Here Lies Love in 2024. He holds the Guinness world records for the most MTV Video Awards won by a DJ, the most MTV Video Awards won for a single video, and the most UK number-one singles by one musician as a member of different acts. He is an ambassador for Martlets Hospice in Brighton and has contributed to numerous community projects and charities. Cook's marriage to the BBC presenter Zoe Ball was highly publicised.

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