Black History Month: Kerri Chandler

Black History Month: Kerri Chandler

21 February, 2011 | 10.53AM

• Written by: Justin Jack
• Filed under: Music News: black history month, kerri chandler, madhouse

Detroit and Chicago typically get most of the credit for birthing house and techno, and New York gets its due too. But don’t forget New Jersey, house music’s redheaded stepchild.

Kerri Chandler is one of New Jersey’s most important house ambassadors—unsurprisingly, perhaps, given that he was more or less born into the role. The son of a working DJ, he got his start playing records as a young teen, and by the early ‘90s he began releasing his own rendition of the garage sound. He launched his Madhouse label in 1992, summing up his vision on an early release with the succinct title, “A Basement, a Red Light & a Feeling”; he’s also a constant presence on likeminded labels like King Street Sounds, Ibadan Records, and Large Music.

Twenty years after the release of his debut single “Superlover"/"Get It Off,” Chandler is still hard at work expanding house music’s spiritual dimension. Unique, inventive, entertaining, and extremely talented are just a few of the attributes that make the man sometimes known as “Chaoz” so beloved. From his jaw-dropping skill at mixing two 8-track reels to his Hologram performance at Southport Weekender, Chandler is an inspiration to many and an important figure in house history, making him an obvious choice for our Black History Month coverage.

You were introduced to DJ culture at quite a young age, were you not?

My father was a DJ and so was my uncle. I was in the club at 13 behind the decks, and I was a studio engineer at 15.

In recognition of Black History Month, who are your mentors or heroes within black culture, and how have they impacted your own music and career?

I grew up around David “Pic” Conley (of Surface), Meekaaeel Muhammad & Ronald Bell/Khalis Bayan (of Kool and the Gang), Gary Henry, House of Music in West Orange, N.J., Stevie Washington (of Slave), Tony Humphries. These are the people I grew up watching and learning from. That’s where I got my start.

For you, what are the important links between house music and African-American culture?

We grew up with soul music and it was a natural progression to house. Everything evolves and morphs, and house grew out of the music our parents played for us as children.

As house music has become more global, do you ever worry that it has lost contact with its roots?

I always say things work in cycles. There’s a new generation taking things in a different direction, which is a good thing because things that don’t evolve die. For example, you can get my back catalog at Beatport. I look at it this way: someone had to say, “Let’s put two turntables together and see what happens.” And it’s come this far.

What kept you in New Jersey, while so many artists moved abroad to further their careers?

That’s just an assumption. I’m mainly based in Italy and the U.K.

You are a prolific producer and DJ; what keeps you inspired to continue producing such great music?

My peers and fans inspire me. Everything around me influences me.

Madhouse Records is your label; can you discuss how it came about, and what’s happening now as you go digital with the back catalog?

It was a meeting with Mel Medalie after “My My Lover.” I told him I wanted to start a label, and he helped me. He was a huge influence and became my partner running it. Mel thought the time was right to start Madhouse running again and we decided to go full force with it.

You have always remained true to your style an innovator, not an imitator. What are your thoughts on the current developments in house music?

I don’t pay attention to the trends. I just make the music I love—what feels and sounds good to me.

Your productions have been released on many respected labels like Ibadan, NRK, Nervous Records, King Street, Large, Deeply Rooted, etc. What have been some of your most memorable productions?

Large releases have always been very personal because of Jeff who is one of my best friends. And “Computer Games” was a lot of fun. I got to experiment and play around with it. I hacked apart computer game consoles and made music with them. I really enjoyed that.

• (0) Comments
• (1631) Views
• Check out Madhouse on Beatport