Derrick MayFestival appearances

One of the three founding fathers of Detroit techno, known as the Belleville Three alongside Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson. Born April 6, 1963 in Detroit, May met Atkins at age 13 in Belleville, where they began trading mixtapes of Parliament, Kraftwerk, and Gary Numan. He founded Transmat Records in 1986, one of the first techno labels, and pioneered what he calls hi-tek soul — a fusion of European electronic sounds and black American dance music. His 1987 release "Nude Photo" and the iconic "Strings of Life" (as Rhythim Is Rhythim) helped define the genre. Known as the "Innovator" of the Belleville Three, May mentored a second generation of Detroit producers including Carl Craig, Stacey Pullen, Kenny Larkin, and James Pennington. He continues to DJ worldwide with his animated, high-energy sets.