Derrick May
Derrick May (born April 6, 1963 in Detroit , USA ) is considered to be the co-founder of Detroit techno and thus a style-forming element for techno . He continued to produce under the pseudonyms Mayday , Long Ago and Rhythim is Rhythim .
Life
During his school days May attended high school in Belleville, a suburb of Detroit, and met Juan Atkins , Kevin Saunderson and Eddie Flashin 'Fowlkes . He shared a fascination for music with them and exchanged the first mix tapes. In 1985 he founded the Deep Space DJ Crew with Juan Atkins. In 1986 he started producing his own tracks and founded the Transmat label in the same year . From 1987 he published several tracks under the pseudonym Rhythim is Rhythim , which later achieved cult status.
From 1989 May withdrew from the techno scene because he did not want to represent the hype and the commercialization of techno. In particular, he positioned himself as an opponent of the techno mass event Mayday , which used the same name as one of his pseudonyms. The last official publication was from 1993. However, rumors persist that May is still secretly producing. In 1997 his old works were published again. He continued to perform as a DJ . In 2003 he took over the management of the Detroit Music Festival .
All known "hymns" were created in collaboration with other artists. He produced The Dance with D. Wynn, Nude Photo with T. Barnett and the piano line for Strings was recorded by M. James. Ultimately, May increasingly isolated himself from other producers and was seen in the scene as extroverted and “convinced of himself”. He was declared a pioneer and accepted the role without letting his accompanying producers and companions participate. This created tension in the following years and after two years led to the termination of the mandate at the Detroit Music Festival .
The debut LP (Transmat Unreleased) was included in The Wire's 1998 list of “100 Records That Set the World on Fire (While No One Was Listening)” .
Quote
His formulation of the development of techno is legendary: “Techno is like Detroit, a complete mistake. It's like locking George Clinton and Kraftwerk in an elevator. "
Discography (selection)
Albums
- 1991: Rhythim Is Rhythim / Derrick May / Mayday - Innovator - Soundtrack For The Tenth Planet
- 1997: Derrick May - innovator
- 2002: System 7 / Derrick May - Mysterious Traveler
Singles & EPs
- 1986: Derrick May - Let's go
- 1987: Rhythim is Rhythim - Nude Photo
- 1987: Rhythim is Rhythim - Strings Of Life
- 1988: Mayday - Nude Photo '88
- 1988: Mayday - Wiggin
- 1988: Rhythim is Rhythim - It Is What It Is
- 1989: Rhythim is Rhythim - Beyond The Dance
- 1990: Rhythim is Rhythim - The Beginning
- 1993: Rhythim is Rhythim - Icon / Kao-tic Harmony
- 1997: Derrick May - Mayday Mix (has nothing to do with the event )
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | May, Derrick |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American DJ and musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 6, 1963 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Detroit , United States |