DJ Sneak is a house music innovator that inspired Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx.
In 1983, Carlos Sosa AKA DJ Sneak, moved to the city of Chicago from the island of Puerto Rico, where his early musical experiences and influences were rooted in salsa, meringue and Latin orchestras. Chicago, like Puerto Rico, is a city rich with musical styles and sounds. In Chicago, Sneak found inspiration in underground house music, Warehouse parties and "old school" mix tapes from the early pioneers – Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ralphi Rosario, Steve Hurley and local radio station shows played on WBMX.
Sneak earned his nickname rocking graffiti–tags and began working at retail stores as an airbrush artist, which kept him out of trouble and allowed him to make important local industry contacts. Development as a DJ came while working regular mobile DJ jobs and local nightclubs. But, in an already saturated DJ pool, Sneak focused on his music production and started his independent label – Defiant Records.
In 1992, using the fundamental studio pieces, Sneak began recording tracks with an unusual new style. In 1994, while still working at local store Gramophone Records, Sneak met Cajmere (Green Velvet) owner of Cajual and Relief Records. Cajmere released three of Sneak´s catalyst tracks, which helped to bring Sneak international recognition, and with it, a global DJing career.
In 1995, Sneak´s new sound revolutionized house music with inspirational sounds and rhythms never heard. The disco filtered house grooves became Sneak´s signature sound. Innovator to many, Sneak´s love for music inspired others like Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden.
In 1996, DJ Sneak´s ´You Can´t Hide from your Bud´, on Derrick Carter´s Classic Recordings, ironically became an instant classic itself; a blueprint for funky, filtered disco–influenced house – AKA Sneak Style – redefining Chicago´s underground music. From 1996 to present day, DJ Sneak has perfected his remix skills, seizing opportunities to work with world–class talent and fine–tune his sound. His highly anticipated remixes take dance floors around the world to levels of climactic frenzy with his trademark booty–shakin, bass–heavy beats and rhythms.
After years of development, DJ Sneak is a familiar name across the world´s club circuit playing the very best venues and events. A frequent visitor to Ibiza – the island of spiritual parties and Mecca of dance music culture, Sneak has participated in several events with the best UK production companies – Ministry of Sound, Cream, Manumission, and Miss Moneypenny´s to mention a few.
A favorite at United Kingdom´s summer festivals (Homelands, Creamfields, T in the Park), Sneak shows no mercy on the sound systems and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Recognized as the disco filter innovator, his productions and musical style has maintained his status as one of the Top 100 DJs in the world. Dynamic in style – from furious banging Chicago tracks and Latin tribal beats, to disco filtered reworks of retro classics and melodic rhythms to suit your soul.
At present time DJ Sneak is focused on launching the brilliant new series "House of Om" on SF Indie label Om Records and working with his booking agency All World Entertainment where he represents fellow Chicago talents DJ Heather, J–dub, and West Coast´s Mark Farina and John Howard, with a sub division of Canadian talents DJ Gryphon & DJ Jason Hodges, Tim Patrick and Big League Chu.
In fall 2001 Sneak launched a new record label Magnetic Recordings, where he has been releasing new music, with compilations to come, along with the introduction of new musical talents. He continues to contribute to the evolution and definitive sound that is Chicago House Music. The future brings light to DJ Sneak´s journey, focusing on the development of electronic music´s revolution and ongoing struggle to be acknowledged as the sound of tomorrow.
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