Born in Puerto Rico, Sneak's family moved to Chicago while he was still a child. Growing up on the streets largely responsible for house music as a whole, Sneak decided early on what his chosen path would be, and there was no shortage of inspiration! Sneak didn't speak English at this stage; television in America held no real attraction for him, his attention instead turning to radio, where the early sounds of Chicago house could be heard. The tracks were generally without vocals at that time, so Sneak finally found something in America he could identify with. DJs like Farley Jackmaster Funk and Ralphie Rosario were already legends in their own right, and they offered Sneak a glimpse of something special, for which he remains eternally grateful, "People seem to forget about the pioneers of Chicago," says Sneak. "But I want to say thanks for the schooling I received from them."

 

The early Chicago house sound spawned a collection of young talented DJs, with the likes of Mark Farina, Sneak and Derrick Carter following in their giant footsteps. But Sneak wasn't about to become lost in the crowd. He wanted to emulate his heroes and play the music that he truly loved - a goal he has always believed he could reach. "I knew early in my career that I was going to BE someone in this industry - I don't want to sound cocky but I knew I was determined and dedicated enough. I had what it took to make it… Most people these days just want to be stars. I just wanted to make and play house music."

 

Talking to Sneak now, it's clear that he's got love and respect for the people who he feels deserve it, and very little time for those who don't. Sneak's friends from Chicago are obviously still very close to him - perhaps no-one more so than fellow house legend Derrick Carter. "He's the Big Boss, Tony Soprano, the new Godfather!" enthuses Sneak. "I love him like my own blood! He has opened so many doors, not only for me but for anyone who wants it bad enough."

 

Sneak has obviously worked hard to get where he is, however his success isn't wholly appreciated back in the city where it all started. "Some people in Chicago are a little too jealous sometimes of what I've become. There are lots of people there that like to hate on others because they feel they should be where I'm at. On the other hand, there are some incredible people that I have the privilege of knowing and I love them. It's a very competitive city."

 

Perhaps it was this animosity that forced Sneak to promptly up and leave the city that had once inspired him, but thankfully his inspiration remained when he settled in Toronto, and his relentless production and DJ work has showed no sign of letting up since. It's almost as if he still feels he has a point to prove.

 

It's a theme that comes up once more when talk turns to his latest album, 'Housekeepin', his first real experimental album not just designed for other DJs. Featuring quality tracks like 'Morning Come' and the infectious 'Fix My Sink', the album has been viewed by most clubbers and Sneak fans as a great success. But this view is not shared by the critics: "I think most of the people are clueless of great produced music. Maybe one day they will truly believe in DJ Sneak," he counters. "The reviews have been shit but I believe in me - always have, always will! When this industry goes completely bust they will reach back to people like me."

Sneak is keen to talk about the album, as he obviously feels it has been misunderstood by a large percentage of the commercial media, obsessed as it is with the so-called 'death' of dance music, and oblivious of what he is trying to achieve. "House music has touched more lives than what bigshot people believe they are reaching with their shit music and false artists. We, the underground, have values and respect. We don't care if the overground cares about what we do. People need to realise that without the underground there would be no overground. I don't know about you," he continues, "but I'm quite tired of all the shit music coming out these past seven years or so. I just want to get people excited about a newer sound. I've worked with real musicians, vocalists and writers to create a mature-sounding album. I love house music, and this LP for me is a great tribute to the original sound of Chicago, with no limitations on how great this music can be."

 

The original sound of Chicago it might be, but there's no escaping the fact that this album was born in an altogether more unlikely town. "Blackpool's a very special place!" shouts Sneak. "It's cold, grimy, shady - it's got character!" You may be wondering why, of all places, Sneak, a Puerto Rican DJ from Chicago, is banging on about Blackpool. Well, that's where he made his album, and it's all thanks to Sneak's production partner and sound engineer Mark 'Blakkat' Bell, who owns a studio there. "He's an amazing studio person. He's the reason these songs sound and feel so good. I learned so much from him and his mates. I feel lucky to have worked with such a professional but down-to-earth mo' fo'."

Fortunately, the tunes are a far cry from a windswept November day, spent queuing for The Big One, and Sneak's forthcoming single is testament to that. 'Funky Rhythm' features Sneak on vocal duties, taking over from Bear Who?, who had rapped on the previous two singles from the album. But Sneak is quick to point out that it's not a career path he is looking to go down much further: "I'm not a rapper," he says, "but I can tell a good story." Sneak is keen to entertain people - either with his own productions or with a hypnotising DJ set. "I'm a real creative person. I love to tell a story with every DJ set I do. I don't think I'm the best, I just know that I love what I do so much and have so much respect for the art, that I'd always want to give it all or nothing. I'm as real as it gets. But there's no need to get a big head!"

Big head or not, Sneak's 'Funky Rhythm' is set to drop on Magnetic Recording in February, featuring mixes from Armand Van Helden and we here at Notion we can't wait!

 

Article by: Tom Wilkins