Roland Corporation joined Fusicology, TV Lounge, Charivari Detroit, and Berklee NYC during Detroit’s annual Movement Music Festival weekend to honor Detroit techno icon Juan Atkins.
"[Atkins'] genre-defining career spans 40 years," they said in a statement. "Each year at Movement Festival, global attendees gather in the birthplace of techno to celebrate decades of iconic music and groundbreaking performances. Atkins, who has previously performed at the festival, was honored at an industry mixer and fundraiser on Festival Memorial Monday for his influence in kickstarting the genre all those years ago."
"Atkins founded Metroplex Records in 1985, revolutionizing both the Detroit and global techno scenes in the process," they added. "The label quickly became a cultural hub, amplifying visionary artists at a time when techno was just beginning. It was here that Atkins first produced iconic records like 'No UFO’s,' 'Night Drive (Through Babylon),' and 'Technicolor' under the pseudonyms Model 500 and Infiniti. Celebrating the label’s milestone 40th anniversary, the industry event featured a commemorative plaque created by Roland, DJ set by Eddie Fowlkes, and an art activation by AbuQadim Haqq, who created the artwork seen on Metroplex Records’ “Model 500 - Classics.”
“It was a true honor to present this award to Juan at Movement,” said Matthew Chicoine aka Recloose, Marketing Director of DJ and Electronic Music Production at Roland. “We’ve been lucky to create instruments that found their way into the hands of visionaries like Juan—artists who didn’t just make music, but helped invent entirely new styles and scenes. As a brand, Roland has benefited immensely from the global impact of techno, and being able to recognize Juan’s role in that, right here in the epicenter of Detroit, meant a lot.”
“I had a wonderful time joining my community for a celebration of techno music and the strides we’ve made over the past 40 years,” said Atkins. “When I founded Metroplex Records, techno music was just beginning. Along with my mentor Rik Davis and later with my friends Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, and myself—referred to sometimes as the ‘Belleville Three’—we were just experimenting with different beats and gear. Since then, it’s turned into a global movement none of us could have anticipated, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of something so special.”
For more information on Metroplex Records, visit metroplexrecords.com.
