More than a store, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic NYC establishment — and one of America’s most legendary DJ stores. New York City – In 1975, when Joseph Bechor founded the original Rock And Soul store in Manhattan, Gotham was having a tough time, even seeking federal assistance. It was the [...]
Forty years of house history, fashion, and philanthropy—Trax Records proves underground music never ages, it evolves. Chicago gave us House, Trax gave it a home; 40 years on, the revolution’s still jackin’. When people talk about the origins of house music, they often start with basements, clubs, and borrowed drum machines. But the moment it turned [...]
Kevin Aviance is one of the most iconic ballroom artists of all time, still leading the movement today. From Diana Ross to Kevin JZ Prodigy, he charts the history of a genre shaped by New York's queer underground. Kevin Aviance almost never made it in the ballroom scene. In the early '90s, when [...]
immersivevrexhibit.jpg Taking place as part of Frequencies, a series of events and exhibitions at London's Barbican Centre exploring “the sounds that shape us”, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is an immersive VR experience that transports listeners back to 1989, into the heart of acid house and UK rave culture at its prime. Here, after trying the [...]
Iconic Chicago label TRAX Records has announced the limited edition vinyl release of 'Rising Again' to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Only 500 copies will be pressed, with executive producer Pi Rho leading the two-year project. Founded in 1985, TRAX Records helped define house music with pioneers such as Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, DJ Pierre [...]
The album, which features Joe Smooth, Jacques X Gregory and more, marks the label's first vinyl release in over a decade. Chicago house label Trax Records has released a 40th-anniversary compilation. Titled RISING AGAIN, the six-track album was executive produced by Pi Rho, and features contributions from Joe Smooth, Jacques x Gregory, Spada, [...]
In '90s New York, a new generation of clubbers grew enraptured by Latin house's vibrant rhythms. The decade set the gold standard for the sound—and Louie Vega is its enduring leader. The Nuyorican icon traces its essential records. "Latin house," Louie Vega enthused over the phone. "This is the sound of our roots." [...]
The hottest screenwriter in Hollywood is some guy named “Shakespeare” and the hottest house tracks of 2025 were made in 1996. DJ Romain’s “The Lost D.A.T.S.” series evokes a time when Times Square was dirty and nightlife was a freaky wonderland. The series from Hard Times enters its second volume with four new unreleased [...]
Created on a simple studio set-up, ‘Promised Land’ is an early Chicago house gem, pop hit, dancefloor unifier, liberation anthem, and timeless classic that has stood the test of time. Carl Loben caught up with the song’s creator Joe Smooth at ARC Festival in Chicago to discuss how he made it, its extraordinary history, [...]
David Morales shares the story behind his dance anthem, 'Needin' U' In an exclusive interview with DJ Mag, David Morales shares the story behind his dance anthem, 'Needin' U'. Morales reflects on the origins of his career, from DJing at the Paradise Garage to remixing Whitney Houston at just 25 years old. Morales explains [...]