DJ Sneak

One of the second wave of influential Chicago house producers and a member of the vanguard of late-'90s American house producers, DJ Sneak wasn't born in the Windy City but began listening to house soon after his family arrived from Puerto Rico in the early '80s. Because he could speak no English, Sneak gravitated to instrumental music (as well as graffiti art), and became inspired by Chicago legends such as Marshall Jefferson and DJ Pierre. Many of those early innovators had left Chicago for the East Coast by the late '80s, when Sneak was ready to start in the business; by 1992, however, Cajmere had begun a resurgence in the city's classic sound by starting up Cajual Records. Sneak aided in the revolution with a series of singles on Cajual's sister label, the harder-oriented Relief Records. Besides other productions for Strictly Rhythm, Henry St., ZYX, 83 West and Feverpitch (several of which feature Armand Van Helden on co-production, building on the Latin vibes of their heritage), DJ Sneak has also released mix compilations including 1996's Kinky Trax Collection and the following year's Buggin' Da Beats.

from Wikipedia:

DJ Sneak (born Carlos Sosa, 1969) is a Puerto Rican house music DJ and producer raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is noted as being one of the second wave of Chicago house producers, (alongside Derrick Carter, Cajmere/Green Velvet, Gemini, and Paul Johnson) as well as a member of the vanguard of late-1990s United States house producers.

Biography

In 1983, Sneak moved to the city of Chicago from Puerto Rico, where his early musical experiences and influences were rooted in salsa, meringue and Latin orchestras. In Chicago, Sneak found inspiration in underground house music, warehouse parties and "old school" mix tapes from the early pioneers, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ralphi Rosario, Steve Hurley and local radio station shows played on WBMX.

Sneak earned his nickname rocking graffiti-tags and began working at retail stores as an airbrush artist, which kept him out of trouble and allowed him to make important local industry contacts. Development as a DJ came while working regular mobile DJ jobs and local nightclub. Sneak focused on his music production and started his independent label - Defiant Records.

In 1992, using the fundamental studio pieces, Sneak began recording tracks with a new style. In 1994, while still working at local store Gramophone Records, Sneak met Cajmere (Green Velvet) owner of Cajual and Relief Records. Cajmere released three of Sneak's catalyst tracks, which helped to bring Sneak international recognition.

After years of development, DJ Sneak is a familiar name across the world's club circuit. A frequent visitor to Ibiza, Sneak has participated in several events with Ministry of Sound, Cream, Manumission, and Miss Moneypenny's.

Lyrics by DJ Sneak are featured in the Daft Punk song, "Digital Love", from their 2001 album, Discovery. In 2001, Sneak launched a new record label Magnetic Recordings, where he has been releasing new music, with compilations to come, along with the introduction of new musical talent.