Derrick May
The Techno Six: New Documentary Spotlights Detroit’s Dance Music Pioneers
First, there were six. The term “techno” is often evocative of its European emblems, like Germany’s Berghain and Sweden’s Drumcode. So much so that techno music is widely considered to be one of the continent’s exports. But a new documentary seeks to firmly correct this history, tracing techno’s origins back to a cohort of six Black producers from Detroit: “the first cover boys of techno,” said Kristian Hill, a Detroit denizen and the director of God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines, in an interview with EDM.com. He’s referring to Juan Atkins, Blake Baxter, Santonio Echols, Eddie Fowlkes, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, who were collectively featured on the cover of British music magazine Record Mirror in 1988. According to God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machin...
Derrick May Backs Out of Techno Panel at Detroit Historical Society After Sexual Assault Allegations
Famed electronic music producer Derrick May has withdrawn from an upcoming appearance at a techno music panel at the Detroit Historical Society due to allegations of sexual assault. The discussion is a part of “2000/2020: Celebrating 20 Years of the Electronic Music Festival in Detroit,” a May 30th event celebrating the city’s electronic music festivals which will feature fabled Detroit techno artists Carl Craig and Kevin Saunderson. “Derrick stepped back when it appeared that his presence would distract from the spirit of the celebration,” said Tracy Irwin, the museum’s Chief Exhibitions and Enrichment Officer. “This project and our exhibit, 2000/2020: Celebrating the 20 Years of the Electronic Music Festival in Detroit has been abo...
Derrick May Accused of Sexual Assault and Harassment by Multiple Women
A DJ Mag investigation detailed graphic accounts of sexual harassment and abuse by four women. According to a report by published by Ellie Flynn for DJ Mag, veteran techno music producer and DJ Derrick May has been accused of sexual harassment by four women. The women, whose names were changed to protect their identities, detailed graphic accounts of sexual harassment and abuse by May that date back 20 years. The new allegations were precipitated by similar accusations levied against May by Michael James, a former Detroit-based colleague and collaborator. The stories told by the women recount incidents of groping, indecent exposure, and forcible touching, among other allegations against May. One of the women, who told DJ Mag she was assaulted in a hotel bathroom, recalled her att...
Lawyer of Derrick May Issues Official Response to Sexual Assault Allegations
Following accusations of sexual assault, famed DJ and electronic music producer Derrick May has issued a public statement in response to the allegations. The claims were made in a September 8th, 2020 Facebook post by Michael James, a former Detroit-based colleague. After James’ post began to circulate via social media, May’s legal team went on to deny the allegations and assert their plans to pursue legal action. Kyle J. Dupuy, owner and Lead Council of the Detroit-based law office Dupuy Law Firm, PLC, has now shared an official statement on May’s Facebook page. “It has come to our attention that a former Detroiter named Michael James has been making deeply troubling allegations regarding Derrick May on social media, wherein Mr. Ja...
Famed Techno Music Producer Derrick May Accused of Sexual Assault
Famed electronic music producer Derrick May has been accused of sexual assault by Michael James, a former Detroit-based colleague. On September 8th, 2020, James shared a lengthy statement via Facebook that contains explicit allegations against May, who is prevalently considered to be a pioneering artist in techno music. “Now, you should understand why it’s taking so long for all of you to learn that Derrick May has been raping and sexually assaulting women dating back to the 1980s,” James wrote. “I’ve been telling people about it since November 2019, and at least 10 people have gone on record publicly with stories of him engaging in rape, exposing his penis to women without consent, threatening sexual attacks, groping women, etc.” Your EDM reported ...
