Encyclopedia Of Detroit
Craig, Carl
Techno artist Carl Craig was born on May 22, 1969 in Detroit. Craig is often associated with the “Second Wave” of Detroit Techno, following the genre’s earliest pioneers like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson – and his influence on the field’s diverse range of sound is substantial. Interested in music from a young age, Craig was introduced to electronic music through May’s radio program Street Beat. After experimenting on basic equipment, Craig was eventually introduced to May, and became his protégé.
May folded Craig into his "Rhythim Is Rhythim" project, taking him on a European tour. Craig went on to make music under several names, including BFC, Psyche, and 69. His early recordings were distributed on May’s Transmat record label. Like many of the early Techno entrepreneurs, Craig eventually developed his own record labels. He co-founded the short-lived Retroactive label in 1990, and created Planet E in 1991, which would continue to great success.
Throughout his career, Craig experimented with different musical genres, blending them into his electronic sphere. His work with jazz was particularly fruitful, and his recordings as Innerzone Orchestra featured live instrumentalization. From classical to soul or industrial, these sounds shine in a new way when they are integrated with Craig's futurist mindset. A founder of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, Craig continues to tour, compose and remix.
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