Legacy Detroit
“Delano Smith influenced either all or most of the Techno generation” -Jeff Mills
Legacy Detroit, a series of celebratory cultural events by Delano Smith, aims to inform dancefloors worldwide about the history, process, and values that laid the groundwork for the musical genre Techno.
A leading pioneer in Detroit's pre-techno era, Delano Smith, was a teenager when he was mentored by Detroit’s first DJ, disco legend Ken Collier, and influenced by the funk, disco, and post-disco movement spanning from 1973 to 1985. This crucial period featured influential clubs, DJs, and a diverse musical landscape. The evolving club scene, driven by influential DJs and party promoters, set the stage for the rise of techno in the mid-'80s. Delano Smith, known as “The Magician” for his seamless mixing skills, directly influenced future techno legends like Jeff Mills, Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson. Friendly competition among these young icons honed their DJing skills and advanced the craft. Smith's influence extended to diversifying communities by drawing straight kids into gay clubs to experience his captivating mixing skills. Juan Atkins, inspired by Smith, formed the competitive DJ crew Deep Space with Derrick May, and featured their own style of DJing and mixing skills. DJ culture eventually led Atkins to the formation of the techno band Cybotron, with legendary producer Rick Davis. As Cybotron, Juan Atkins is credited with inventing the musical genre Techno.
In his role with Cybotron, Juan Atkins is credited with blending Alvin Toeffler’s science fiction concepts from “Future Shock” with the funk and soul of Parliament Funkadelic, as well as the electronic sounds of Kraftwerk. His vision aimed to elevate human philosophy beyond racial, ethnic, and narrow confines, infusing these elements into dance music. It was this unique combination that Atkins used to pioneer the musical genre Techno, which has since evolved into a global movement of communal, celebratory electronic dance music which has from a social unity standpoint— diversified and brought together more individuals and communities than any other artform.
The wealth of knowledge, heritage, and culture in the roots of electronic dance music spans more than five decades between American cultural icons Delano Smith and Juan Atkins.
By: Kelly Patternbraker
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