Farley Jackmaster Funk

Born Farley Keith Williams in 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk commenced his career in the music industry in 1981. He was an original member of the Hot Mix 5, a prominent DJ team at WBMX-FM 102.7 FM in Oak Park, Illinois. During this period, he served as a guest DJ at the Warehouse nightclub and held a residency at The Playground, which later became the Candy Store. These early experiences provided a platform for him to develop and refine his distinctive DJing style, which integrated disco, funk, and electronic sounds, thereby influencing the emerging Chicago house music scene.

In 1985, Farley, alongside Chip E., co-founded House Records, a record label that released “Jack Trax” by Mirage & Chip E. as its inaugural project. Farley’s own debut single, “Aw Shucks (Let’s Go Let’s Go)” was the second release on the label in 1985, followed by “Funkin with the Drums” in the same year, which featured rhythmic, drum-centric tracks. His influence expanded significantly with releases on Trax Records, including “Jack the Bass” in 1985, which contributed to the popular “jacking” dance craze in Chicago house. In 1986, he released “Give Yourself to Me,” featuring vocals from Kevin “Jack N House” Irving and gospel singer Ricky Dillard. A major turning point occurred in 1986 with “Love Can’t Turn Around,” a collaboration with Jesse Saunders and vocalist Darryl Pandy. This track achieved number 10 in the UK Singles Chart, marking it as the first house record to gain significant international chart success and popularize house music overseas. He followed this success with “House Nation” in 1986, credited to the House Master Boyz and the Rude Boy of House, which also entered the UK top ten.

Throughout the late 1980s, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk continued to produce influential works, including the 1988 album “No Vocals Necessary,” which featured “The Acid Life,” an acid house track later covered by Technotronic as “Pump Up the Jam” (1989). Beyond his own productions, he engaged in remixing and producing for other artists. His career progression includes being the world’s longest-serving house music DJ on radio, holding a current position on V103 in 2024. His contributions to the genre continue to be recognized, including his inclusion in the National Museum of African American History and Culture and receiving the 2024 President Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also actively involved in preserving house music history through initiatives like the planned House Music Museum and Hall of Fame, and the establishment of House Music Month in August.