Black History Month: TODD TERRY

Todd Terry

Todd Terry was born in Brooklyn, NYC in 1967. He began DJing parties in New York in the early ’80s playing mainly hip-hop and Italo disco until the emergence of house in the mid ‘80s. He made his debut in 1987 with a 12” single that would go on to be featured on the Chicago house compilation, Jackmaster Volume 1. The tune, “Alright Alright” was released under the name Masters At Work*. He then released “Dum Dum Cry” later that year under the same alias. 

Todd Terry is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in progressive and deep house with many of his productions being considered milestones within the genres. His 1988 release under the name Royal House entitled “Can You Party” became an international club anthem when Jungle Brothers used it as the backdrop for the hip-house classic, “I’ll House You.” Along with Will Socolov, the label manager of Sleeping Bag Records, Todd formed Freeze Records in 1991 and began releasing more of his own music as well records by House of Gypsies, DJ Spinna, Kenny Dope ft. Shaggy & MC Supernatural, and most notably, Jay-Z. in 1994, he produced the smash record “Missing” for Everything But The Girl, also an anthem for a new era of house music. The epic DJ/Mix Compilation “One Half of a Whole Decade” was released in 1996 by London based nightclub turned label, Ministry of Sound featuring Todd Terry and CJ Mackintosh. It continues to be a time capsule for the 90s house era. 

Todd continued to have much success in 1997 with the UK Top 10 Hits, “Something Goin On” and “Keep On Jumpin” with Jocelyn Brown and Martha Wash in addition to “It’s Over Love” with Freestyle legend, Shannon which topped the Billboard Dance/Club chart in the U.S..

In 1999 Todd went in a new direction musically with the drum ’n’ bass album, “Resolutions” released on Astralwerks Records.  The same year, he launched InHouse Records as a vehicle for more of the music he believes in. The catalog includes releases from Roland Clark, Todd Terry All Stars, House of Gypsies, and more. in 2000, he launched SoundDesign Records as a home for some of the harder house sounds. 

To date, Todd Terry has released music under the following aliases; Black Riot, Bombshell, Bootman, Chrome, CLS, D.M.S., D’Effect, Derossa, Dred Stock, English Friday, Frontline, Frozen Inc., Gypsymen, Hardhouse, In Es Project, INCS, KXP, LA’ Girls, Lime Life, Masters At Work, Mr. Tee, Orange Lemon, Oregano, Royale House, Sax, Soma, Sound Design, Static, Swan Lake, Tech Nine, Tee Dawg, Tee Noize, The Raid, The Todd Terry Project, Todd Terry All Stars, Todd-Ski, You Know Who, and Youngbloods. His contribution as a producer, artist, and label owner is second to none and will be felt worldwide for many generations to come.hoot

*Masters At Work (MAW) was the name of Kenny Dope’s crew in Brooklyn prior to teaming up with Louie Vega to create the powerhouse production duo they’re known as today.