Discover the Atmospheric Sounds of Detroit Deep House DJ Rick Wilhite

Rick Wilhite has been active in the music industry for over 30 years as a producer, historian and cultural event producer. Throughout the course of his career, he has provided listeners globally with the atmospheric sounds of deep house, nu-disco and techno.

He began his journey into the music industry in the 1980s when he was a music supplier and connoisseur at Buy Rite Music, one of the country’s leading supplier of house and techno music. Now, he’s a leading influential figure of Detroit’s deep house music scene and history.

Click on the player above to hear “5 on 5: Rick Wihite” and get a feel for Wilhite’s expansive 30-year career with these five essential tracks:

The Progressive Underground’s 5 on 5: Rick Wilhite

1. “Technology Stole My Vinyl”

Wilhite’s background in sound engineer and skills on the turntable, scratching, mixing and blending sounds are demonstrated on “Technology Stole my Vinyl”.

2. “Good Kiss” (Ron Trent remix)

Known for his collaborative spirit, Wilhite has nurtured professional connections and working relationships with city officials, journalists, and media personalities, introducing music into popular local media culture and has also worked alongside many electronic music pioneers, including Juan Atkins and Derrick May.

3. “Dance of Nubia” — 3 chairs feat. Rick Wilhite

Along with his work with fellow producers, Wilhite has partnered up with fellow musicians, some of whom are local to Detroit. He formed the group the 3 Chairs with fellow musicians Marcellus Pittman, Kenny Dixon Jr and Theo Parrish.

4. “Tribute and Respect”

“Tribute and Respect” shows off Wilhite’s talents in remixing. He is an in-demand remixer and editor for labels like KDJ and StillLove4Music.

5. “Magic Water”

One of Wilhite’s more popularly requested songs on the Progressive Underground Show, “Magic Water”, presents the multifaceted moods of atmospheric, jazz, nu-disco, and boogie.

Web story by Haleemah Aqel.