Aphex Twin

Aphex Twin — the primary alias of Richard D. James — is electronic music's most inventive and influential figure. From the ambient beauty of Selected Ambient Works 85–92 through the frenetic drill 'n' bass of Richard D. James Album to the impossibly complex rhythmic programming of Drukqs, James has consistently been years ahead of his peers, creating sounds and techniques that the rest of electronic music spends decades catching up to. His ability to program drum patterns of inhuman complexity on vintage Roland equipment, his mastery of analog synthesis, and his gift for melody — beautiful, eerie melodies that float through even his most abrasive productions — set him apart from every other electronic producer. The Analord series showcased his acid-techno roots; Syro, released after a thirteen-year hiatus, won the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album and proved his continued relevance. James builds and modifies his own equipment, composes at a prolific rate (claiming to have hundreds of unreleased tracks), and maintains an enigmatic public persona that has only enhanced his mystique.