Derrick May

Derrick May

The Belleville Three: The Innovator

Founded

April 6, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan

Full Name

Date of Birth

April 6, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan

Still Alive

Date of Death

Influenced By

Parliament, Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Frankie Knuckles, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ultravox

Later Influenced

Carl Craig, Stacey Pullen, Madonna, Kirk Degiorgio, EDM

Derrick May.
Derrick May.

About The artist

Of the Belleville Three, May recorded the techno tracks which top dance producers point to as the most original and influential.

Did you know...

The music is just like Detroit, a complete mistake. It’s like George Clinton and Kraftwerk are stuck in an elevator with only a sequencer to keep them company.

Derrick May describing techno in the liner notes of the 1988 compilation Techno! The New Dance Sound of Detroit.

Other Artists from this genre

Juan Atkins

Juan Atkins

The Belleville Three: The Godfather

Kevin Saunderson

Kevin Saunderson

The Belleville Three: The Elevator

Genres from this era

Hip Hop & Rap

Hip Hop & Rap

Two turntables and a microphone - Born in the Bronx.

Techno

Techno

Electronic dance music born in Detroit.

Neo Soul

Neo Soul

Soul music makes a return.