Coldcut's electronica sound is the making of two DJs, Matt Black and Jonathan Moore. Formed in the mid-‘80s in London, the duo gained recognition for their production work for a multitude of hip-hop and dance artists during the latter part of the decade. Some of their collaborative efforts include work with Queen Latifa and Rakim, but their own beats were worthy of attention as well, as exemplified on their 1987 EP Hey Kids, What Time Is It.

The two DJs got their start as radio disc jockeys in the early ‘80s and eventually expanded their outreach to the London club scene. Upon its release, Hey Kids, What Time Is It was truly innovative and is regarded as the first U.K.'s first break recording. The album served as a bridge between the club and the studio. The pair also paved the way for the genre to reach a wider audience by starting the labels Ninja Tune and Ntone, on which a slew of influential London artists have been able to release material.

The pair underwent a legal battle for the name "Coldcut" in the ‘90s, but released plenty of material under other names while fighting for their original moniker. In 1995 they secured the name once again and release 70 Minutes of Madness in celebratory fashion. Though not all the tracks were Coldcut's own, the disc showcased the freestyle approach that they had played such a vital role in establishing as a recordable genre. The album did even more in furthering the pair's cause, receiving mainstream radio play and bringing significant attention to their brand of music.

The duo released several other albums in the late ‘90s and, after a seven year recording hiatus, released Sound Mirrors in 2006. The record showed that the two DJs hadn't missed a beat in their 20 years and were still two of the premier turntable masters in the industry.