DJ Rush

Isaiah Major, better known as DJ Rush, is an icon of the Chicago house and techno scene. Known for his explosive live sets and rhythmic command, Rush parlayed his stateside accomplishments in the 1980s and '90s into a successful career in Europe in the 2000s, where he has remained a club and festival mainstay for over two decades. A native of Chicago's south side, Rush started spinning records at family events in his teens, forging his identity organically through the pulsating sounds of jazz, soul, funk, disco, and early house. With his fun-loving persona and eclectic personal style, Rush soon became a fixture in the Chicago club scene, DJ'ing ten-hour sets at the Music Box, the Powerhouse, and the Warehouse. He issued his first single, "Knee Deep," in 1991 through Trax Records, followed by a pair of full-length efforts (Klub Kids and Rush Rules) in 1996. By this time, Rush had gained enough traction in Europe to justify a move to Berlin, and in 2000 he co-founded the booking agency and record label Kne'Deep with Tina Panitzke. He spent the next decade at the fore of the Euro-techno scene, spinning tracks and issuing signature cuts like "Freaks on Hubbard" and "Get on Up" while helping budding techno artists make their mark via remixes and label releases. Rush eventually settled in Portugal, where he continued to issue a steady flow of singles, EPs, and DJ mixes, including 2009's You Better Ask Somebody, 2014's Major Power, 2016's Remembering My Roots, 2020's Knee Deep, and 2022's KD 100. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi