Lora Branch

Lora “Lori” Branch grew up in a large, conservative household on Chicago’s South Side. It was a space suffused with jazz and pop music, and a... Read More »

  • Disco
  • Hip Hop
  • House
  • R&B

John Curley

Resident DJ at the Shelter through its entire life as well as at Medusa’s. Co-founder of PURE... Read More »

  • House

Jesse De La Peña

DJ Jesse De La Peña spent his early years in South Chicago and South Deering listening to album oriented rock on WLS and The Loop. As a high... Read More »

  • Disco
  • Hip Hop
  • House
  • Industrial
  • Punk
  • Soul

Andre Hatchett

A true DJ’s DJ, Andre Hatchett may be one of the juice bar era’s most beloved artists, yet he is almost unknown outside Chicago. As he... Read More »

  • House

Lady D

Darlene “Lady D” Jackson grew up in Washington Heights in a family that loved all types of music; the blues, jazz, country and western,... Read More »

  • House

Duane Powell

DJ Duane Powell grew up between the Roseland and Auburn Greshem neighborhoods, on 81st and Wolcott. With uncles who were DJs, and a mother who was... Read More »

  • Hip Hop
  • House
  • Soul

Dana Powell

DJ Dana Powell grew up during the 1960s in Gary, Indiana, where he participated in school music ensembles in addition to getting involved in some... Read More »

  • Disco
  • House

Bad Boy Bill

A teenage wizard on the decks who became part of the second WBMX Hot Mix 5 crew, William “Bad Boy Bill” Renkosik is perhaps best known... Read More »

  • House

Michael Serafini

DJ Michael Serafini came up in an Italian family on Chicago’s South Side. Growing up in Bridgeport, and later near Midway, he always knew... Read More »

  • House

The Black Madonna

Marea Stamper left high school at the age of sixteen to become an “adventure capitalist.” She spent her teens taking cheap flights to and... Read More »

  • Disco
  • House
  • Techno

David Risqué

David “Risqué” Walker, aka The Global Groove Guru, may be best known as the dancing Indian at The Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic, but his... Read More »

  • House