A Brief History of Detroit Techno

If you’re a fan of electronic music, then you’ve probably heard of Detroit techno. This genre of music has its origins in the Motor City, and it has been influencing dance floors around the world for decades. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at the history of Detroit techno and some of the key artists who have shaped it.

The Early Days

Detroit techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the mid-1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who were all residents of the city of Detroit.

The first wave of Detroit techno

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several techno tracks were released that would go on to become classics in the genre, including Cybotron’s “Clear” (1983), Juan Atkins’ “No UFO’s” (1985), and Derrick May’s “Strings of Life” (1987). These and other tracks by these and other artists laid the foundation for Detroit techno.

The second wave of Detroit techno emerged in the early 1990s, led by artists such as Eddie Fowlkes, Kevin Saunderson, and Carl Craig. This wave was characterized by a more cerebral and atmospheric sound than the first wave, with tracks often featuring pads and strings.

The third wave of Detroit techno began in the late 1990s/early 2000s, led by artists such as Moodymann, Theo Parrish, and Jovonn. This wave is characterized by a return to the rawer sound of the first wave, with an emphasis on synth basslines and 303 acid squelches.

The second wave of Detroit techno

The second wave of Detroit techno was led by younger producers who were influenced by the first wave but wanted to experiment with a more diverse range of styles. These producers started to experiment with different sounds, textures and tempos, and as a result, the sound of Detroit techno became more varied. This new wave of producers included Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Moodymann and Theo Parrish.

The Third Wave

Techno was first created in Detroit, Michigan during the 1980s. It was developed by a group of African American DJs and producers who were influenced by the electronic music coming from Europe. Techno quickly became popular in the Detroit club scene and eventually spread to other parts of the United States and Europe.

The third wave of Detroit techno

By the early 2000s, a third wave of Detroit techno had begun, led by artists such as Carl Craig, Kenny Larkin, and Octave One. These producers expanded on the works of the second wave, incorporating different styles such as house and techno-funk. The third wave was also notable for its use of new technologies, particularly in the realm of sound production.

The fourth wave of Detroit techno

After the 1990s, Detroit techno went through a bit of a lull, with many of the original producers and DJs either moving away from the city or retreating into more experimental sounds. In the early 2000s, however, a new generation of artists began to revive the Detroit techno sound, giving birth to what has been dubbed the fourth wave of Detroit techno.

Fourth wave Detroit techno is characterized by its use of classic Detroit techno elements like trancey melodies and driving rhythms, but with a modern twist. Many fourth wave artists have also looked to other genres for inspiration, resulting in a sound that is unique to this particular moment in time.

Notable fourth wave Detroit techno artists include Carl Craig, John Beltran,Kevin Saunderson, and Kyle Geiger.

The Fifth Wave

Techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1990s. The genre is typified by a fast tempo, minimalistic style, and often futuristic or dystopian lyrical themes. Detroit techno is a subgenre that is characterized by a hard-hitting, Detroit-style sound. The genre was pioneered by artists like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson.

The fifth wave of Detroit techno

The fifth wave of Detroit techno is a current movement of the Detroit techno music scene. It began in the early 2010s and is characterized by a return to the underground sound and feel of the first three waves of Detroit techno. The fifth wave is also marked by an increase in the number of female producers and DJs, as well as an increase in collaboration between artists from different generations.

Notable fifth wave artists include:

-Alexandra Bailey
-Angelique Palmer
-Chrissy Spratt
-Derrick May
-Erika Sherwood
-Gavin Herlihy
-Juan Atkins
-Kyle Hall

The sixth wave of Detroit techno

The sixth wave of Detroit techno is marked by a return to the roots of the sound, with artists like Drexciya, Dopplereffekt and Luke Hess emerging in the mid-1990s. These producers brought a raw, minimal aesthetic to their work, which was informed by the early pioneers of techno but stripped down to its essence. This wave of Detroit artists would go on to influence a generation of European producers, who would go on to create their own take on the sound.