TuneAttic: find music, know music
TuneAttic: find music, know music
TuneAttic: find music, know music
TuneAttic: find music, know music
TuneAttic: find music, know music
TuneAttic: find music, know music
Carl Cox

Carl Cox is a British-raised Bajun Techno DJ and Producer.  Active since the earliest days of British dance music, Cox has been one of the biggest names in dance music.  Though also an active producer Cox is best known as a DJ and for his legendary three-deck mixing skills. Cox hosts the 'Global' radio show.

 Carl Cox scales of success
 Carl Cox timeline

 

‘I Want You Forever’
(Perfecto 1991)
 ‘F.A.C.T.’
(React 1995)

Early Years: 1991 to 1999

Carl Cox first began DJ-ing aged 15 with his first pair of turntables and a mobile disco.  After a few years of playing Rare Groove and Hip-Hop at parties he discovered the music coming out of the nascent Chicago House scene.

By the end of the 1980’s he was DJ-ing House and Rave and in 1988, during the second year of the British Acid House era – often referred to as the ‘Second Summer Of Love – Cox earned a reputation for his 3 turntable mixing getting the nick-name of ‘Three Deck Wizard’. 

During these early days of UK dance music, a relatively small number of DJs – of which Cox was one – effectively created and drove the scene from nowhere following formative holidays in Ibiza.  Two of this group were Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold, both of whom went on to establish themselves as global stars.  In the late 1980’s they ran now-legendary club nights which Cox was closely involved with, including playing the opening night of Rampling’s Shoom and co-promoting the Project with Oakenfold.

Cox and Oakenfold continued to work together in various guises, including Cox releasing his debut single ‘I Want You Forever’ (Perfecto 1991) on Oakenfold’s Perfecto label.  ‘I Want You Forever’ was a creation of its time - a mish-mash of House, Rave and Acid House – but it gave Cox a Top 30 hit and an appearance on the BBC’s legendary Top Of The Pops show.

Cox soon shied away from the increasingly commercial direction in which mainstream UK dance music was heading, and immersed himself in the Techno music which was to become his career-long speciality.  In 1995 he released the landmark Techno compilation ‘F.A.C.T.’ (React 1995) which sold a quarter of a million copies and showcased the high energy Hard Techno sound Cox has become famous for.

From then on Cox’s profile soared, and he became one of – if not the – most in-demand Techno DJ on the planet, headlining at festivals and super clubs across the globe.  His success was confirmed by becoming the first ever winner of the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ’s poll in 1997.

In the late 1990’s Cox opened ran his mid-week Techno night Ultimate Base in the intimate Velvet Underground in London. 

‘Dirty Bass’
(23rd Century Records 2003)
‘Global’
(Warner Dance 2002)

Later Years: 2000 to present

In 1999 Cox set up his own record label Intec which he continues to run to this day, alongside 23rd Century Records which he launched in 2003.  One of his first releases on 23rd Century Records was a collaboration with Christian Smith  - ‘Dirty Bass’ (23rd Century Records 2003) – which became a firm favourite of Techno DJs throughout the year.

2011 was Cox’s eleventh consecutive year playing in Ibiza and he marked the occasion with the mix album ‘Space Compilation 2011’ (Safehouse 2011).

Cox continues to headline major events across the world and releases mix albums most years.
He also hosts the ‘Global’ radio show which has an audience of more than 12 million across terrestrial, digital and online channels.  Cox’s latest studio album ‘All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor’ is slated for release in 2011.

Carl Cox was one of British Dance Music’s Founding Fathers: Paul Oakenfold laid the foundations for Trance, Danny Rampling for House, Fabio & Grooverider for Drumb and Bass and Cox for Techno.  His high energy style and close rapport with fans helped establish him as a global brand and introduce Techno to mainstream dance audiences.

Carl Cox was born in Barbados, grew up in Oldham in the north of England, and then moved to London where he went to high school.