Juan Atkins

Juan Atkins, an American DJ and record producer widely regarded as the pioneering "Godfather of Techno", was born on September 12, 1962, in the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan. His journey began when he relocated to Belleville, Michigan, where he met his future collaborators, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, in junior high school. The trio, affectionately known as The Belleville Three, would go on to shape the electronic music landscape. In 1980, Atkins joined forces with Richard Davis to form the groundbreaking group Cybotron, releasing their debut studio album, the influential electro masterpiece "Enter", three years later. Subsequently, Atkins left Cybotron and pursued a successful solo career under various monikers, including Model 500 and Infiniti, as well as being one half of the duo Borderland. Alongside Saunderson, May, and Eddie Fowlkes, Atkins is credited with originating the genre-defining sound of techno, a testament to his innovative spirit and enduring influence on the world of electronic music.