“It's time to regenerate”: Claude Young retires from DJing
Speaking to Mixmag, the Detroit DJ explained that he's decided to "move on"
Detroit-born DJ and producer Claude Young has announced his retirement from DJing.
"Yesterday was the day I knew would eventually come,” he explained on his private Instagram account over the weekend. “The day I became bored and annoyed with the whole thing. It's time to regenerate.”
“It's been a blast but I'm done with the DJ thing for good. That means don't ask me about shows, or remixes or anything. It's officially OVER. And I feel really good about it. Thanks for riding with me all these years," he added.
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Speaking to Mixmag, Young explained that he's decided to "move on" from that part of his life, stating: "I just don't have the passion to be involved anymore on that level. It's a joyous occasion. I had a good run and this has already opened a few doors for me."
"Myself and my production partner Takasi Nakajima were just commissioned to score the music for an exhibition in Japan for 2025," he said. "And I'm still going to be writing music. But I've lost the love for the whole "scene" part of it."
"I'm not bitter at all about any of this. And it's been amazing having friends like Jeff Mills and Surgeon among others reaching out to me with words of support. There is nothing better than the respect of your peers."
Young has been an active member of Detroit’s effervescent music scene for more than three decades with productions dating back to the early '90s, and releases on the likes of DJAX-Up-Beats, Emissions Audio Output Recordings, and Acacia.
Shortly after moving across the pond in 1995, Claude Young curated the third instalment of DJ-Kicks’ iconic and long-running mix series.
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The DJ and producer also launched his own record label in the ‘90s, Utensil, with a handful of self-releases, and others from the likes of Terrence Dixon, Population One, and Walt J. The imprint honed in on Detroit’s techno circuit through the ‘90s.
Over the years, Young has also become known under several other aliases, including Brother From Another Planet, De-Yang Crew, DJ 2120, and Dub Street Posse.
Claude Young told Mixmag that he will now be running a private mail order company from his home on the side, after being left over 13,000 records following the passing of his father - who was also a DJ.
Friends and fans of Claude Young have shared their support of the recent news on social media. “A stunning DJ, but another victim of the likes + social numbers over actual talent of the current scene,” said radio producer Mike Darkfloor on Twitter.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter