The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music band formed in Braintree in 1990 by producer, keyboardist and songwriter Liam Howlett. At their commercial and critical peak, the group also included MC and lead vocalist Maxim, dancer and occasional live keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill, and dancer and occasional vocalist Keith Flint. The Prodigy have been described by AllMusic as “the premiere dance act for the alternative masses” and “the Godfathers of Rave”. They are regarded as pioneers of breakbeat-driven genres such as breakbeat hardcore and big beat, and Howlett has described their style as electronic punk.