Aphex Twin, born Richard David James, is an influential English electronic music artist who began releasing music in the early 1990s. His music has spanned many genres, from ambient to progressive house and drum and bass. Aphex Twin is one of the most important figures in the so-called 'intelligent dance music' genre, which positions itself in opposition to mainstream pop music. He is best known for his inventive and groundbreaking use of sound and sampling technology, in addition to his innovative blending of different musical styles. His prolific output, which includes several solo albums and dozens of extended plays and singles, has been celebrated by critics and electronic music fans alike. Aphex Twin has toured extensively in the UK and the US, as well as France, Germany, and Japan.