Born in Chicago, Illinois, Chip E. started his DJ Career in 1982 and by 1984 he was producing records. In 1985 Street Mix magazine declared Chip E. as the “Godfather of House Music.” In 1987, he became the first (and still the only) Chicago artist to be in regular rotation on all three major Chicago radio stations (WBMX, WGCIFM and B96). Former B96 programming manager Joe Bohannon (Joe Bo) made the decision to add “If You Only Knew” to regular rotation and with that began the transition of the station from CHR (contemporary hit radio) to a dance music station.

 

Chip E. brought legendary DJ Frankie Knuckles from the turntables to the recording studio when he co-produced Frankie’s first record “You Can’t Hide”. Other artists Chip jump-started into the music world were Liddell Townsell, Kevin Irving, and Harri Dennis of The It. 

DJs around the world recognize Chip’s early recordings of “It’s House” and “Time to Jack” as not only the blueprint for the genre of House and Techno but the first records to use the terms “House” and “Jack”. His first release “Jack Trax” is one of the most coveted early house music releases, fetching upwards of $1500.00 (USD) on eBay. By the age of 21 Chip E. was a worldwide name. Because of difficulties getting out of a contract with D.J. International records, Chip decided that he would rather not record if he had to do it for that particular label.

While Chip continues to DJ most recently in Great Britain, Italy, Germany and Japan, he has recently resurfaced as a film and DVD guru. Besides work with artists such as Michael McDonald, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, The Dead, and The Black Eyed Peas, Chip
has produced a feature-length documentary on the subject of house music. The documentary is entitled The UnUsual Suspects - Once Upon a Time in House Music. In 2016 Chip began to produce music again, and signed to the independent Record Label Sights
& Sounds Productions, where he also began collaborations with Label Mates Jackeld Phoenix and Vlad. One of his highlights of the year was a 4 hour set at Berlin’s famed Sisyphos nightclub.

In 2017 Chip E. Signed a license and distribution deal with Universal Music Group To reissue his old catalog of House Music anthems and classics. Other highlights include performing at the Eyelife Music Festival in Havana, Cuba; The One Love Music Festival in Lake Perris, Ca; A hiatus in Australia to work on a Remix of his hit single “Time to Jack ” with the legendary Carl Cox, and Chip finished up his year performing at various Clubs in Asia and the Full Moon Music Festival in Pattaya, Thailand.