Hot Mix 5: The Story Of Chicago House
A short film about the legendary radio show and the DJs behind it
In 1981 Lee Michaels founded the Hot Mix 5, a DJ team originating from Chicago consisting of Mickey 'Mixin' Oliver, Farley 'Jackmaster Funk', Ralphi 'Rockin' Rosario, Kenny 'Jammin' Jason and Scott 'Smokin' Silz.
The Chicago House Music scene exploded as the Hot Mix 5 show and BMX became the No.1 Radio show in Chicago by airing a new sound called house. Collectively with their unique turntable skills and radio persona a genre emerged. These guys broke nearly every Chicago House record we know today. From this show the first true superstar DJs emerged and are credited with turning Chicago and the rest of the world onto this new sound.
The individuals featured here are pivotal in laying the foundations for the domination of house music around the world today.
They went onto launch Hot Mix 5 records, a stunning label with a dazzling roster of artists releasing worldwide hit after hit, that have stood the test of time.Thelabel will see its catalogue released on London's Midnight Riot, featuring tracks, remixes, edits and collaborations with the likes of Larry Heard, DJ Pierre, Ashley Beedle, Ron Basejam, Severino, Pete Herbert, Rayko, Yam Who?, Kiko Navarro, Leo Zero, Fingerman, 80's Child and Jaegerossa.
The city of Chicago recognised the Hot Mix 5's contribution to the creation of house music and honoured them by presenting each member with an individual street named after them and in addition a street called 'Hot Mix 5 Way'.
Watch this slice of history below:
Limited Edition Hot Mix 5 T-Shirts are available here