Chicago: Home of House

Funky Black Man is a global eclectic House Music DJ/producer from Chicago whose musical taste and styling straddles the whole spectrum of the House genre from Chicago House to Tech House, Disco House, Soulful House, Classic House, Deep House and Afro House. Funky Blackman has been involved with House Music since the late 80s, weaving eclectic and luscious House beats with indigenous Afro rhythms and beats. He runs the monthly Campo Alegre House Sessions and Afro Boogie parties in Washington DC. His curated events, from Chicago to Burningman to Capetown, etc. features various musical influences from Afrobeat, Afrobeats, Afro House, Deep House, Disco, Gqom, Kwaito, Soulful House, Soukous, Tech House and Melodic Techno, raising your vibration and making you feel fabulous! His goal is to make your ass cheeks wiggle! Funky Blackman is also the boss man at the global House label Campo Alegre Productions, based in Chicago with satellite offices in Cape Town and Lagos.

First Lady, aka Kris Hutchinson, Chicago’s first female to be featured as a House Music radio DJ in the mid-1980s, was also a member of Chicago’s first all-female DJ collective entitled The Fantastic Four. With close to 40 years of experience in broadcast communications and the music industry, First Lady has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business. She has also worked in top radio markets in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. In 2015, First Lady was inducted into Chicago DJ Hall of Fame and received the Frankie Knuckles Lifetime Achievement Award by The Chosen Few DJs. First Lady, and her husband House Music DJ pioneer Hugo H., teamed up to create a husband-and-wife DJ duo called “The Love Team.” They can now be heard rocking the decks for fans across terrestrial and internet radio along with live events around the globe.

Wayne Williams is the founder of the Chosen Few DJs and began his musical career in the late 1970s. Wayne is cited as one of Chicago’s most influential DJs and producers in the House Music community. Wayne’s talent for creating musical bridges between the sounds emanating from underground gay clubs of the late 70s to citywide youth parties in the early 80s, was a driving influence in the birth of House Music. In addition to being an in-demand DJ, Wayne also leads the annual Chosen Few Weekend in Jackson Park. Wayne has had a long career as an A&R executive representing and collaborating with a long roster of R&B, pop and hip-hop superstars. He is featured in several books, films and was named as a Top 20 DJ by New York’s award winning Robbi Promoter.

Andre Hatchett, member of Chicago’s DJ collective Chosen Few since the early 1980s, is known as one of Chicago’s most beloved House Music pioneers. Andre is often cited as “everyone’s favorite DJ”, Andre and big brother DJ Tony Hatchett launched the Chosen Few DJs reunion event in the early 90s. This small family and friend picnic, featuring the Chosen Few DJs with special guests, has become one of the largest House music events in the United States. Andre is still continually active and can be heard spinning with his Chosen Few DJ brothers at events across the city.

A pioneer DJ in the dance/House Music scene since 1982, Celeste Alexander is a beloved Chicago treasure. Introduced to DJing by the legendary Steve “Silk” Hurley, Celeste remains the only female who has played alongside the late legend Ron Hardy at the famous Music Box. In 2007, Celeste began her own internet radio show on Cyberjamz.com. Since its debut, The Celestial Odyssey has garnered international acclaim for her consistently impressive style, selections and technique. As co-owner of Sophisticado Recordings, Celeste has also released several chart-topping House tracks. Celeste was named one of the top 100 most influential DJs in Chicago house history and was inducted to the Chicago DJ Hall of Fame where she received the Frankie Knuckles Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Chosen Few Picnic. Today, she is the Musical Director/Talent Liaison for The Summer Oasis Festival in historic Idlewild, Michigan and stays busy playing for her adoring fans everywhere.