The Hacker (real name: Michel Amato) is a French electroclash and techno producer who has worked extensively with Miss Kittin. His work has been influenced by Electro artists like Kraftwerk, New Wave artists such as The Cure and Depeche Mode, as well as the French rave scene of the early 1990s. His artist name comes from Jeff Mills' track with the same name. The Hacker started making music in 1989 at the age of 17 in Grenoble, (France). At the time, Duran Duran was an early influence, but he later discovered the dark side of Electro through bands like Cabaret Voltaire and D.A.F. In 1993, The Hacker took on the hardcore side of Electro and released a few 12?s with Benoit Bollini (aka The Money Penny Project) under the moniker XMF on the label of the same name.