DJ Sneak

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

 

DJ Sneak is something of a hero - awesome on Twitter, always got something to say, even if you don't agree with it. Great on the decks and mates with Mark Farina - who together have done some incredible sets - just YouTube them! His style of jackin' house might not be my usual bag, but he brings an energy that you want from a top DJ and the man himself has a very interesting story...

 

DJ Sneak (aka Carlos Sosa9) is a Puerto Rican born American DJ and record producer raised in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He is noted as being one of the second wave of Chicago house producers, alongside the likes of Derrick Carter.

 

In 1983 he moved to Chicago from Puerto Rico, where his early musical experiences and influences were rooted in salsa, merengue and Latin orchestras. In Chicago, Sneak found inspiration in underground house music, warehouse parties and "old school" mix tapes from the early pioneers, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ralphi Rosario and Steve Hurley.

 

Sneak earned his nickname rocking designs in the graffiti tagging days and began working at retail stores as an airbrush artist, not long after he cultured the music industry world and began recording his first releases His development as a DJ came while working regular mobile DJ jobs and clubs. He focused on his music production and started his independent label – Defiant Records in 1993.

 

In 1994, while still working at local store Gramophone Records, Sneak met Cajmere (Green Velvet) owner of Cajual and Relief Records. Cajmere released three of Sneak's catalyst tracks, which helped bring him international recognition.

 

In 1995 he established his own record store called "Sneak Beats" in Toronto (Canada) which sold underground house music on Vinyl and CDs from their store and via mail order.

 

His new sound revolutionized house music with inspirational sounds and rhythms never before heard. The disco filtered house grooves became Sneak's signature. Self-proclaimed House Gangster, Sneak has helped shape the course of dance music since the early 90s; his early music influencing the likes of Daft Punk, Bassment Jaxx and Armand Van Helden

 

In 1996, Dj Sneak's "You can't hide from your bud" on Derrick Carter's Classic Recordings turn out to be something of a masterpiece, setting a blueprint for many subsequent 'filtered disco'tracks and preceding the wave of funky, disco-influenced house that would prove the massive popularity of Chicago underground music.

 

Having begun his DJ’ing career in 1983, Sneak continues to be at the top of his game: non stop beat bumpin’ sets are a one of a kind experience in the electronic music circuit and a barrage of top quality releases over the last 20 years have culminated and just keep on coming.