DJ Seven Chicago – “I Am Stuck In The 80’s”

DJ Seven Chicago’s is a house DJ/Producer from the South Side of Chicago. Starting out as a House Party/ Rave DJ in the early 1990’s. He Quickly blew up and traveled DJing numerous events in the Midwest and South areas of the USA. He has DJ’d among some of the top DJ’s in the world such as: Daft Punk, DJ Sneak, Steve Poindexter, Robert Armani, Roy Davis Jr. DJ Funk, Danny the Wildchild, Derrick Carter, Paul Anthony, Adam X, Heather Hart, Roc Raider (RIP), D-Styles and Many more.

Recently DJ Seven Chicago has teamed up with DJ D3RKIN and started to produce house music. His tracks contain elements from some of his favorite 80’s songs and With tracks like this DJ Seven Chicago is here to stay. Be on the lookout for more Jacking House coming from this Chicago house DJ favorite. Check out DJ Seven’s Q&A with S&S below.

S&S: What’s your style of music? How do you describe it?
SC: I play what I like it’s called Jackin House. Floor moving house with a lot of disco or 80’s samples are my
favorite.

S&S: Who or what was most instrumental to you when it came to music?
SC: I would have to say there was not just 1 so I will a few. IN the 80’s it was Mickey Oliver In the early 90’s Bad Boy Bill was my “Music Style” influence going back to Hot mix 16 and 17. As far as Djing is concerned Bad Boy Bill influenced me to to mimic his quick mix style but with live mixing (No Edits) I would try to drop a record in after 8 beats and ride it for a long time, fade out and have another track back in after 8 (That was my goal) Another DJ that influenced me to start DJing all over again in 1994 was DJ Eric Bone from Detroit. I watched him at a party and he blew my mind with the same style of Bill but he was doing tricks and making his own beats and build up with 2 records and this blew my mind. I had to try this so I went out and bought 2 1200’s and never looked back. The last dj I want to recognize is Justin Long. His style of DJing influenced me a lot. His ability to ride out long mixes and at the same time really move and get into his dj sets made me want to become a better dj a feel the music, I think it made my sets better. And finally I must mention the DP dj crew. This helped me the most. With the way we would get on each other when one of us train-wrecked during a DP DJ session was bad. Let’s just say you made sure you never wanted to go off beat when they were around. LOL

S&S: What drives you creatively?
SC: Honestly, what drives me is hearing an old favorite 80’s tune that gets me pumped but could even be better if I can mix it so I have been taking old 80’s tunes and remixing them. So far, I think my remixes have been sounding pretty good.

S&S: How much does your audience influence you and your music selection?
SC: I have always played what I like, not what the fans like to hear. I know it is selfish but I think that is what makes a good DJ. I have always had good fans so I guess I just keep doing what I have been doing over the last couple decades!

S&S: What artists or genres do you listen to when you’re not working?
SC: Haha, I am stuck in the 80’s – I love everything 80’s, however I do listen to 70’s classic rock as well and even some metal bands like Iron Maiden, Ozzy and Metallica.

S&S: Do you have any favorite memories of growing up with your family?
SC: Camping at Devil’s Lake in Baraboo, Wis. I had the most fun camping, hiking and swimming.

S&S: Is there anything you would like people to know about you?
SC: I also work in the IT field as a PC Technician and I also own and manage a very successful Mobile DJ and Photo booth business.

S&S: Are there any charities you are working with or excited to tell us about?
SC: I have recently DJ’d for a Little Feet, BIG Hearts for Hinsdale Hospital Foundation. I love doing this as it helps to raise money for little kids that need Medical therapy that Insurance will not cover.

S&S: Are there any questions that you wish people would ask you?
SC: Nothing I wish they would ask however I am ready to talk shop at anytime. I love house music!

S&S: And on the flip side of that, are there any questions or references you wish people would stop asking or using?
SC: Will you dj for free? and the term “EDM” I hate that term because it is so non-specific.

S&S: What artist(s) have you been the most excited to work with?
SC: To name a few, I am very proud to have DJ’d with the likes of Daft Punk, Roy Davis Jr., DJ Skip, Paul Johnson, Collette, Mark Farina, D-Styles, DJ Funk, Heather Hart, Adam X, Gant-Man, Steve Poindexter, Robert Armani Just to name a few!

S&S: Are there any artists that you dream of working with on a collaboration?
SC: Any of the above names I mentioned.

S&S: What can we look forward to next from you?
SC: I am working on some hot remixes and hoping to be putting out some new ones real soon. My first 3 tracks I put out under Gaia Recordings have done extremely well including “What I am” that hit #1 on Stompy (RIP) for over 4 weeks. I plan to be working very hard this summer!

S&S: What legacy would you like to leave?
SC: I would like people to know me as a True Chicago House DJ who people can show their kids and grandkids the Tapes, Cd’s and trax I have put out over the years!

Q&A By: Shannon “Skip” Syas – S&S Chicago

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