The Best House Music DJs of All Time

From the old school to the new school, these are the best house music DJs of all time.

Frankie Knuckles

A definitive list of the best House DJs of all time would obviously be subjective. One person’s favorite might not be another person’s favorite. But we can all agree that Frankie Knuckles was one of the truly greats. A Chicago legend, Knuckles was one of the first DJs to play House music in clubs and is widely credited with helping to create and popularize the genre. His influence can still be felt today, nearly 20 years after his death. If you’re a fan of House music, there’s a good chance you’ve got at least one Frankie Knuckles track in your collection.

Marshall Jefferson

Marshall Jefferson is one of the original house music pioneers. He was born in Chicago in 1963 and started DJing in the early 1980s. He is best known for his 1986 track “Move Your Body,” which is considered to be one of the first house music anthems. Jefferson has also been prolific in his production work, working with many of the biggest names in house music. He is still active today, DJing and producing new tracks.

Mr. Fingers

“Mr. Fingers” is the stage name used by American house-music producer and DJ Larry Heard (born August 25, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York). Heard is one of the pioneers of house music, and was instrumental in its development and evolution. His work—both solo and as a member of the group Fingers Inc.—has been influential in soulful and deep house.

Virgo

Virgo is a versatile DJ who has been spinning records since the early days of house music. His unique style and ability to read a crowd has made him a favorite among house music fans all over the world.

Born and raised in Chicago, Virgo began his career playing nightclubs in the city. He soon began to travel internationally, playing gigs in London, Ibiza, and Tokyo. In recent years, Virgo has become one of the most in-demand DJs on the global house music scene. He currently resides in Berlin, where he is a resident DJ at one of the city’s most popular clubs, Berghain.

Farley “Jackmaster” Funk

Farley “Jackmaster” Funk is a Chicago house music Dj who was born in Detroit in 1951. Funk began his career in the 1970s when he co-founded the Hot Mix 5, a group of five Chicago radio DJs who helped popularize house music on the city’s airwaves. In the 1980s, Funk collaborated with fellow Chicago house music pioneer Felix da Housecat on a number of tracks, including “The Party,” which was featured on da Housecat’s 2004 album Kitty Galore. In addition to his work as a Dj and producer, Funk is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2016.

Chip E.

Chip E. is often cited as the first house music DJ. He was a major player in the development of the genre in Chicago in the 1980s. He was a resident DJ at The Warehouse, one of the first clubs to play house music. He also produced some of the earliest tracks in the genre, including “It’s House” and “Time to Jack”.

Adonis

Adonis is a Chicago house music legend, and is one of the most important innovators in the genre. He’s best known for his classic 1986 track “No Way Back,” which is widely considered to be one of the greatest house tracks of all time. Adonis is a true pioneer of the genre, and his influence can still be felt today.

Steve “Silk” Hurley

Steve “Silk” Hurley is a legendary house music DJ who was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his work with the group Shermanology, as well as his solo work. Hurley has been a major force in the house music scene since the early 1980s, and he remains one of the most popular DJs in the world today.

Ron Hardy

Ron Hardy (born May 21, 1961) is an American DJ and producer. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. Hardy is best known for his work as a DJ at the Music Box club in Chicago. He was also a resident DJ at the Warehouse club. Hardy’s style of DJing was unique and influenced the development of house music. He played a mix of disco, soul, and electronic dance music. Hardy died on March 7, 1992, at the age of 30.

The Belleville Three

The Belleville Three, also known as the Detroit Three, are three house music producers and DJs from Belleville, Michigan, USA: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson.

The Belleville Three are widely credited with the development of techno music in the mid-1980s. In 1985, they founded the record label Submerge to release their own music as well as that of other Detroit-based producers.

Juan Atkins is often referred to as the “godfather of techno.” He was a member of Cybotron, an influential electro group that released the single “Alleys of Your Mind” in 1981. Atkins’ solo work includes the tracks “No UFOs,” “Metropolis,” and “Techno City.”

Derrick May is considered one of the most important figures in the development of techno. He hit the dancefloor with his track “Nude Photo,” and followed it up with classics like “Strings of Life” and “Energy Flash.” May also founded Transmat Records, a legendary techno label that released some of the genre’s most important tracks.

Kevin Saunderson was a member of Inner City, a group that had huge success with club hits like “Big Fun” and “Good Life.” As a solo artist, Saunderson’s biggest track is probably “Bounce Your Body to the Box,” which was released under his alias E-Dancer.