Ron Hardy (8 May 1958 - 2 March 1992) was a Chicago DJ and producer of early house music. He is well known for playing records at the Muzic Box, a Chicago house music club. Decades after his death, he also is recognized for his edits and mixes of disco, soul music, funk and early house music.
Ron Hardy was an early producer of soul music.
The text mentions he is known for his works in soul music, but does not mention if he was an early producer or not. It only mentions he was an early producer of house music.