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Ghettotech: A Detroit Love Story

The anticipation is high for Detroit's techno and Ghettotech pioneers and trailblazers for this year's iconic Movement festival. Whether it's a pre-party, a Movement set or an after-party, the city's rich history will present itself through its unique sounds. But it doesn't stop at Movement; Detroit's techno night life and club scene have been prominent and lively for almost 50 years.

 

As a Detroit native, it's important we recognize the influence and individuality that comes from the musical liberation that is Ghettotech, especially at the height of gentrification and displacement in the city.

 

How would you define Ghettotech?

 

Tiptonaires: Ghettotech is a lyrical expression over techno beats; raw freedom personified. Most times it's freestyles and random, catchy expressions that just stick. I feel like anything can be ghetto and that's why it's so special. 

 

Milfie: Ghettotech for me is DJ Assault, Sex on the Beach, or hearing "I ain't got no panties on, on the dance floor!"

 

How would you define your own work as a Ghettotech artist?

 

King Milo: Inonovatively left-field.

 

47Chops: High-energy, for real.

 

Milf Melly: Everything you listen to; the sounds are all-in-one.

 

What makes Ghettotech unique compared to other genres?

 

Sheefy McFly: The different drum rhythms. It's a crazy drum pocket that's so minimal but so mesmerizing. Detroit and Chicago Ghettotech have such a unique drum pattern that I've never heard in any other production, so does Baltimore and New Jersey club music.

 

Milfie: Everything about Ghettotech makes it unique. The sound, the feeling, and the way it makes you move your body is unlike anything I've ever felt. The vibrations are very heavy!

 

Who are some of your favorite Ghettotech pioneers?

 

AK: DJ Deeon, Lil Mz. 313 and DI Clent are first to come to mind because I grew up on them. Their music was heard at damn near every block party in the D. Lil Mz. 313 inspires me the most amongst all of the men telling you how bad they 'want to fuck' and 'suck my dick.' In so many words, Lil Mz. 313 put on the for the women! We wanna fuck too!

 

Who are some of your favorite Ghettotech artists in today's generation?

 

Milfie: My absolute favorite Ghettotech artist today is AK. The feeling I get hearing her DJ and mesh some of the most classic and iconic Ghettotech songs with some shit like Tyler, the Creator is something I have never seen. I know that no one can do it like her.

How are you preserving Detroit culture through music?

 

King Milo: Staying fresh and in the moment. We talk about what's happening, even if it's right in front of us, and relative to everybody else.

 

47Chops: Looking back in the past, listening to different artists that got this shit started, having an understanding of that, and thinking about what we can add and how we can build upon that.

 

Milf Melly: Taking stuff from the past, living in the present, and making the future with our music.

 

What are some reactions when you play or perform Ghettotech in cities that aren't Detroit?

 

Tiptonaires: When I play in other cities, people go through waves of emotions. I've never seen people rock and try to understand what they're rocking to like they do when I play booty music. The beat will capture you first with a fun vibe then someone comes on talking about fucking granddaddies and taking social security checks. That's when people start trying to understand what they're really hearing.

 

AK: Everyone loves Ghettotech. It's a bit brash and vulgar but that's why we love it; pure, unfiltered expression over slapping ass drums. A lot of people come up to me and ask where I discovered these tracks and where they can find more.

 

What's your favorite thing about playing/performing Ghettotech?

 

Sheefy McFly: Letting the music and rhythm speak. When I DJ I let go of I can let go of all of my problems in my life and let my soul flow through my set. Ghettotech feels like my heartbeat and my life's pace. My artistic thought process is like an after-hours set at 160bpm at three in the morning during Movement weekend in Detroit.

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