Juan Atkins

Juan Atkins

The Belleville Three: The Godfather

Founded

September 12, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan

Full Name

Date of Birth

September 12, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan

Still Alive

Date of Death

Influenced By

George Clinton, Parliament, Funkadelic, Kraftwerk, Prince

Later Influenced

Carl Craig, Stacey Pullen, Kenny Larkin, Richie Hawtin (Plastikman), A Guy Called Gerald

Juan Atkins
Juan Atkins

About The artist

Juan Atkins' track "Clear," which he recorded with Rick Davis as Cybotron, is cited by many as the first true techno record.

Did you know...

"The Detroit underground has been experimenting with technology, stretching it rather than simply using it. As the price of sequencers and synthesizers has dropped, so the experimentation has become more intense. Basically, we’re tired of hearing about being in love or falling out, tired of the R&B system, so a new progressive sound has emerged. We call it techno!"

Juan Atkins in a 1988 article from the U.K. magazine The Face.

Other Artists from this genre

Derrick May

Derrick May

The Belleville Three: The Innovator

Kevin Saunderson

Kevin Saunderson

The Belleville Three: The Elevator

Genres from this era

Hip Hop & Rap

Hip Hop & Rap

Two turntables and a microphone - Born in the Bronx.

Techno

Techno

Electronic dance music born in Detroit.

Neo Soul

Neo Soul

Soul music makes a return.