Kevin Saunderson

Kevin Maurice Saunderson, born on September 5, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, stands tall as one of the seminal figures in electronic dance music. As a member of the legendary Belleville Three, alongside Juan Atkins and Derrick May, he played a pivotal role in pioneering the Detroit techno sound—a genre that would transcend borders and influence countless artists worldwide. His journey into the world of techno began in the classrooms of Belleville High School, Michigan, where he befriended Atkins and May, quickly developing a passion for music ignited by the music of DJ Charles "The Electrifying Mojo" Johnson. While Atkins and May delved early into creating music, Kevin Saunderson initially pursued academic and athletic aspirations at Eastern Michigan University. However, witnessing Atkins and May craft "Let's Go" gave him the confidence to kick off his own project. His first batch of singles, including "Triangle of Love" as Kreem and "The Sound" as Reese & Santonio, showcased his innovative approach to sound and were released on Atkins' renowned Metroplex label, eventually becoming underground dance hits in the UK. His genius shone even brighter with the birth of Inner City—a techno pop collaboration with vocalist Paris Grey. Their debut track "Big Fun" unexpectedly catapulted them to international stardom, leading to a career that included chart-topping hits like "Good Life" and the critically acclaimed album Paradise in 1989. Inner City's success story continued with nine Top 40 hits in the UK, two top 20 albums, and staggering sales exceeding six million. In the decades that followed, Kevin Saunderson produced gospel-inspired techno as the Reese Project and indulged his underground techno tendencies as E-Dancer, releasing the albums Heavenly (1998), Heavenly Revisited (2017), and Infused (2018) via his own KMS Records imprint.

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