DJ Seven Chicago is a pioneering force in Chicago house music, renowned for his electrifying style and for blending classic house roots with modern energy. He has released acclaimed tracks on labels such as S&S, Trax, Gaia Recordings, Purveyor Underground, and Jesse Saunders’ Broken Records, and his dynamic live sets captivate audiences worldwide. DJ Seven also mentors upcoming artists, collaborates with both established and emerging producers, and continually pushes the boundaries of house music while honoring its roots. He is dedicated to preserving the authentic spirit and history of Chicago house, with an influence felt both on and beyond the dance floor.

What’s the story behind your artist name, "DJ Seven Chicago"?

Seven was my old Graf name. I carried that over to Djing since everyone already called me Seven.  I had to add Chicago later, when I released my first EP, and the tracks were assigned to another DJ, Seven.  I did not even know, later finding out that there are approximately 20 other DJs named Seven out there. I needed to stand out from the other DJs.

How long have you been in the music scene?

I have always had a love for house music since the breakdancing days, 1985ish.  I used to breakdance to more house than anything, and it helped that it was always on the radio, WBMX and WGCI. 

What first got you into producing electronic music?

Basically, being a DJ, I had so many ideas in my head that I made my first track in 2000. It was supposed to be released on record, but the deal fell through. I revisited producing in 2015 and released my first EP on Gaia Recordings. That release hit #1 on Stompy, and that was so exciting to me; I wanted to make more!

Who or what were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Originally, the HOT MIX 5 from Chicago. Bad Boy Bill was later added and became my main influence. What got me to want to spin at raves and underground music was DJ BONE from Detroit. I saw him play at a party in Chicago in 1994, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing or hearing, which made me even more inspired.

Are there any genres or artists outside of EDM that influence your style?

The 1980s music and Jazz musicians such as Herb Alpert, George Benson, and Chuck Mangione.

Chicago is often considered the birthplace of house music. What are your thoughts on this, and could you provide some additional history?

Well, I can say I wouldn’t know enough to prove it, but it was all around me growing up, and I knew of it early in 1984. House was all over the airwaves. I wasn’t old enough to go to the Warehouse, but I heard about it. To me, House is reinvented, Disco. Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles helped shape all of this at the clubs, but the artists making these songs were primarily house producers, Farley Jack Master Funk, Steve Silk Hurley, Jesse Saunders, Vince Lawrence, and more, all from Chicago.

Did house music ever die or leave Chicago, or did it evolve into the tech-house sound? The true House is still live in Chicago. A lot of DJs move to more Jackin House, but the true original house sound is still being played and made in Chicago.

Jackin' House is a high-energy, sample-based subgenre of house music characterized by "shuffly" percussion, funky basslines, and chopped-up vocal snippets, often falling in the 126–130 BPM range.

Who are some underground EDM artists currently leading the Chicago house music scene? Demuir, Gene Farris, Ghettoblaster, Traxman, DJ Slugo, Boo Williams, and Glenn Underground, to name a few.

What is your favorite DJ controller and software that you currently use?

Well, I am not a big controller guy. I have the Pioneer XDJ-XZ that I use, but my main rig is CDJ2000s and a DJM450 Mixer

And why? I do not like laptop DJing, so I choose to use a CDJ or a standalone controller.

Did you start DJing with vinyl, and if so, when did you switch to DJ controllers?

I did start with vinyl, and I still have all my vinyl. As a matter of fact, I am DJing an all-vinyl party in Davenport on May 17, 2026. I started doing USB DJing after CDs faded and nobody offered turntables to play on. 😂

How do you read the crowd, and what signals do you look for when deciding to switch up the music or change the BPM?  I will never switch the BPM on a crowd, nor will I adjust my set. My fans and followers come to see me and what I have selected for that event, so I am a like it or don’t type of DJ. There will be one on after me to play something different. 🤣 (UEDM likes this )

Do you think EDM fans will want to see more live performances featuring artists using hardware, rather than DJs behind a controller or laptop just turning knobs? I would like to see more of it. Not sure if that will take off or not, but I always liked seeing a good Live PA.

Who are some of the big artists and producers that you have collaborated with?

Well, the biggest one to date would be the ones I just remixed this week. HOTMOOD and Demuir.

What songs did you make with them? It is called Going Back to Africa and will be released on Vinyl in December 2026 and digitally in May 2026.

How did you get signed to record labels such as S&S, Trax Records, Gaia Recordings, and WhiteBeard?

Basically, I just reached out to them, submitted a track or two, and they loved it and signed it.  The last one, Going back to Africa, was a remix contest I entered with my production partner, and it was chosen as the winner.

Has being signed to a record label helped you, or do you think you could have succeeded as an independent artist? The record labels definitely gave me notoriety, but I am not sure if it impacted my bookings.

What advice would you give to underground EDM artists who want to get signed to a label? Just keep grinding and making what you love. Do not try to sound like someone else; find your own style. Also, do not be shy when it comes to sending it to a label.  Be confident about your work.

Do you have any advice on choosing a record label and what to watch out for?

I really do not. It depends on the style you are making. Also, with the way things are these days, it is better to get an amount up front and let the label keep the royalties. Streaming these days doesn’t pay unless you’re a Diplo or a Bad Boy Bill.  OH, and always ask to keep your publishing. Very important.

Are you involved in the music scene full-time, dedicating all your time to creating and promoting your music? I am not. I need to pay bills, so it is just a hobby, but it ended up being a little more.

What inspires your music style and music sound, nightlife, emotions, visuals, or something else? I still have the drive to travel and DJ, so I push myself to stay current with the music, but I will only play what I think sounds good. I really do not have inspiration except to produce more dope music.

What Genre are you currently producing? Jackin House and Tech-house

What sets your current music apart from other underground EDM artists and makes it uniquely yours?

I would say my introductions. I always do an intro where I stop the last DJ's music and start with an intro that includes my DJ name drop, and sometimes a movie quote I love gets tossed in the mix.

What strategies are you using to grow your audience and make sure your music stands out (make sure your music gets heard)?

Just trying to be on more labels and make posts whenever possible.  Oh, and be a good person.

What is your musical background?

I’m a 1980’s music lover. My dad is an amazing Classical and Jazz guitar player, so I think that is where my ear for music comes from.
Which music software and/or DAW do you prefer for music production, and what makes them your top choices? Ableton. It is just what I learned on, and it clicked with me, so it stuck.

Do you mix and master your own songs? I do for some, but we started to use Arturo Graces, and he does AMAZING masters.

How do you start a song? Do you begin with the melody, the drums, or the bassline when building a track?

I start with a song I want to remix, find a good part to sample and loop it, then lay a top loop, then the drums, then the bassline.

What techniques do you use to make your basslines and leads stand out in a mix, or to give your kick extra punch? Compressors and Drum Bus. Also, some VSTs work well, but I rarely use them.  Learning Sidchain  (ducking) works we

What is your signature sound or trademark in music production that makes your tracks stand out? I like to filter vocals or loops down and up during the build-up; it is a trademark.

What’s one production tip you wish you'd known when you first started producing music? Cutting off a wide selection of BARS within a track and either deleting them or moving them around.  This is in Ableton

How do you decide when a song is “finished”? The car test. If it passes multiple car tests, it is good to go. 😀

What music-producing advice can you give someone who is trying to break into the EDM scene? Listen to your favorite producer or songs and try to mirror the layout.  Not saying copy them, but figure out how a song is structured, and from there it should be easy.

I noticed that you come out to the Bay Area to perform. What is your connection in the Bay Area?

Well, I know a few artists that moved there, DJ Rebecca to name one, but I also I DJ’d with Forest Green before, and we made a nice connection. But my production partner, RoseRed, got me out there to play, Forest hooked me up with Frank Nitty, and we did two events at Buzzworks. I will be back out there in June 2026, and possibly head over to LA as well; it is still in the works.

What do you enjoy about performing in the Bay Area, and does it have a vibe similar to Chicago's when it comes to the house and tech house music scene?

I enjoyed the Vibe and made so many friends so far that seem to be all REAL good people. I don’t want to speak badly about my city, but I am embraced more in the Bay Area than in Chicago. 🙂

What are your thoughts on the current underground EDM scene? Do you think there are too many DJs and artists?

There are way more DJs and artists than when I started, but it is ok, I am still making my mark, and you either got it or you don’t. It all evens out.

What do you think about using AI in music? Making an entire AI song is frowned upon by me, but to us, using AI to strip a song for an a cappella or instrumental is cool and a great tool.

Where do you see your Music taking you in 2026 or 2027? Oh, I have the fire in me, especially getting picked up by Jesse Saunders, Now Demuir, and Hotmood!  It’s on!

Do you have any performances lined up for spring and summer 2026?

I have Davenport, Iowa, on May 17, 2026, and Primordial Groove on June 26, 2026, in the Bay Area (online show). So far. But things build up before your eyes, so I am sure things will fall into place.  Focusing on Out of Town as of Late. 

Where can I find your music? dot.cards/djsevenchicago

Any closing statement? EDM alive—there’s an incredible amount of talent out there. If you truly have a passion for this music, you’ll find a way to make it happen.

Entropy Radio is a global underground broadcasting platform dedicated to electronic music, operating without corporate influence, subscriptions, or ads. Streaming live 24/7, it provides a home for DJs and listeners, spotlighting genres such as techno, drum & bass, dubstep, grime, and house. The station features weekly resident shows, international guest DJs, and supports artists through live broadcasts, promotion, and mix uploads, with programming that highlights underground scenes from diverse regions. Entropy Radio encourages new DJs and producers to connect, submit music, or host shows, and is accessible worldwide via their website, Instagram, and Mixcloud.

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