Hot Mix 5 Celebrates 35th Anniversary

Photo Courtesy of Hot Mix 5
Photo Courtesy of Hot Mix 5

Hot Mix 5 Celebrates 35th Anniversary

On Saturday, June 11 at the McCormick Convention Center located on 2301 S. King Drive in Chicago, the original members of the Hot Mix 5 are reuniting for a 35th anniversary celebration. The event will be held from 12 noon - 12 midnight.

The members consist of The King of House Music, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Grammy Award Winner, Ralphi Rockin Rasario, Originator Kenny Jammin Jason, Legendary Mickey Mixin Oliver and Scott Smokin Silz. The festival will include 60 local, national, and international DJs who’ve been influenced by the Hot Mix 5.

Event Coordinator and House Music Creator, Farley Williams (better known as Farley Jackmaster Funk) says “this year’s celebration is about 35 years of mixing on radio, a celebration of life, and giving back to the community with the DJ seminar for inspiring future DJs and a health fair for promoting health and good living. Hot Mix 5 is a multicultural group, blacks, whites, and Hispanics that appeal to the whole city. We want to reunite our city and put us together in the same room.”

The city of Chicago recognized the Hot Mix 5 with an honorary street sign named “Hot Mix 5 Way”. The sign is located in the heart of Chicago’s tourist district next to Buckingham Fountain while individual street signs are placed throughout the city.

More than thirty artists from the music industry will join the celebration. Five giant stages are in place to honor the legacy and music of each DJ. From their travels around the globe, Hot Mix 5 has been dubbed “the Beatles of House Music.” Established in 1981, the American DJ crew from Chicago had over three million faithful listeners to the WBMX radio program (now known as V103) during the early 80s, 90s, and now in 2016. International performers for the celebration include singer, Robert Owens from London; producer, rapper, Tyree Cooper from Germany and singer, Marshall Jefferson also from London. The event will feature a variety of music focusing on House Music Culture, History and Traditions.

Former Chicago Bulls-2 time Championship Winner, Cliff Levingston along with other sports professionals will host the Free House Music Health Fair and Rap Mogul YoYo will bring her Hip Hop Youth Workshop to the Free DJ Training Seminar for ages 14 years and up. Delece Williams of Kidz Korna, NFP is also scheduled to attend. “This event will allow us to provide support to local charities dedicated to ending youth violence” says Delece. Farley says there will be something for everyone at the celebration. There will be a number of celebrities on hand including V-103 personalities, Ramonski Love, Joe Soto, and Beyounce Fox.

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