Born Gerald Rydel Simpson in Manchester, England, A Guy Called Gerald emerged as one of the pivotal figures in UK electronic music. Growing up in the Moss Side community, Gerald first encountered music through his family’s love of soul and reggae, later absorbing the energy of the burgeoning electro and hip-hop scenes of the early 1980s. He began experimenting with drum machines and sequencers, eventually joining forces with 808 State and co-writing their iconic track “Pacific State.

” Breaking away to pursue his solo vision, Gerald released “Voodoo Ray” in 1988—an acid house classic that became a definitive anthem of the late-80s rave era. His debut album, **Hot Lemonade** (1989), pushed the boundaries of UK dance music, fusing Chicago house, Detroit techno, and a distinctively British rhythmic sensibility. In the early 1990s, Gerald was at the forefront of the nascent jungle movement.

His album **28 Gun Bad Boy** (1993) is widely recognized as one of the first full-length jungle records, laying the groundwork for what would become drum & bass. Over the ensuing decades, Gerald’s explorations have spanned techno, broken beat, and deep house, always marked by an inventive, rhythmic complexity. A steadfastly independent artist, Gerald has worked with labels such as Juice Box, Perlon, and his own imprint Protechshon, while collaborating with artists including Goldie, Finley Quaye, and Herbie Hancock.

Renowned for his captivating live sets and genre-defying productions, A Guy Called Gerald continues to shape the evolution of UK electronic music, inspiring generations of producers and DJs worldwide.