Although house music has swept the globe with its contagious energy, what some dance music folks don’t know is that it started right in the Windy City’s backyard. While a good deal of dance music lovers (especially Chicagoans) have heard stories about the legendary Hot Mix 5, a Chicago based DJ crew who is largely responsible for the birth and blow up of house music, other stories and contributions have been put on the back burner.

NPR’s “The Record” sits down with Jerome Derradji, a French-born Chicago DJ, to discuss the birth of house music, the two rivaling record companies that were the starting points, as well as Derradji’s own experiences as a young and budding DJ in a world where electronic music wasn’t quite understood.

To read more about Jerome Derradji, the evolution of Mitcbal Records, Chicago Connection, then on to Trax Records and house music’s starting roots all in all, please click here.