Born in the city that started it all, Chicago, Green Velvet was destined to be a legend in the genre. He grew up engrossed in the deep-rooted House music scene and was exposed to the culture early on. Who knew he would spend almost 30 years spreading the Chicago House sound all over the globe?
Before becoming a widely known DJ and producer, Green Velvet was on a different path. Curtis Jones, also known as Cajmere, and later Green Velvet, was on his way to becoming a Chemical Engineer. He was enrolled in a Master’s program in California when he decided to leave that dream behind and move back to Chicago to pursue his love of music.
After the move back to Chicago in 1991 and going by the moniker Cajmere, he became fully immersed in the already established Chicago House music scene. His first release “Underground Goodies” came out in 1991, however, it wasn’t until his second release a year later that Cajmere started catching nationwide attention. “Coffee Pot (It’s Time for the Percolator)”, which I’m sure you have all heard at some point, became an instant classic. Cajmere kept gaining recognition and his next release “Brighter Days”, which was a collaboration with Dajae and released on his own record label Cajual, hit number two on the Billboard Dance Chart and received international success!
Ready to try something different and break away from the Cajmere handle, Green Velvet was born. The year was 1993 and the commercialization of house music was well underway. You were seeing more electronic music artists on MTV and hearing the club hits on the radio. Green Velvet was setting himself apart with experimental tracks like “Preacher Man”, “Answering Machine” and “Flash”. These tracks were something different; something unique. They had quirky monologues, out of this world lyrics and unmistakable groovy House beats. Green Velvet’s alter ego persona was also unmistakable. His green mohawk, circular frames and colorful ensemble would make him instantly recognizable.
Relief Records, which was a breakoff of his former label Cajual Records, also got started in the 90s. This new label helped bring fellow House music artists to the forefront of the genre as well as release the first of Green Velvet’s productions. Relief Records has stood the test of time and celebrated its 25th anniversary just last year.
Releasing several albums throughout the 2000s, Green Velvet came back with a vengeance in 2014 and joined forces with Claude VonStroke to form a side project “Get Real”. This collaboration brought these two midwest boys together on a whirlwind tour and musical partnership which released tracks such as; “Mind Yo Bizness” and “Snuffaluffagus”. Snuffaluffagus sounds like it’s straight out of a Willy Wonka wonderland. This track is classic Green Velvet breaking boundaries with experimentation and creativity.
Green Velvet continues to tour all over the world and plays some of the most notable venues like Club Space, Printworks London, and festivals such as EDC, Imagine, and Ever After. I’ve seen Green Velvet several times, and each set is always different; a groovy, out of this world vibe that only he can provide. I am extremely excited to catch him in Austin in a couple of months. This spring show, which also includes Relief Records artists Latmun and Eskuche is going to be excellent! RealMusic Events is continuing to bring the heat with another outstanding showcase of talent here in Austin. Green Velvet is all over the place, so make sure to catch him at a venue near you!
*Featured Photo | Via Artist FB Page*
