Hot Mix 5
The Hot Mix 5 are an American DJ team originating from Chicago, Illinois, who were chosen by WBMX Program Director, Lee Michaels in 1981 to create Hot Mixes for a radio show Lee named, "Saturday Night Live, Ain't no Jive". Founding team members included Farley "Funkin" Keith (later known as Farley "Jackmaster" Funk), Mickey "Mixin" Oliver, Ralphi Rosario, Kenny "Jammin" Jason, and Scott "Smokin" Silz. Another DJ, Jeff Davis, was supposed to be the sixth member, but he never showed up. The show rose to #1 in the Chicago radio ratings garnering over 2 million listeners. WBMX in turn rose from the worst ratings to the #1 radio station in Chicago. In 1984, Scott Silz was asked to leave the group and was replaced by Julian Perez as he was the winner of a HMF sponsored DJ Battle. Perez's tenure lasted about a year and then after his departure, several Djs were invited to guest on the WBMX Hot Mix 5 mix show. Steve Hurley, Mario "Smokin" Diaz, Martin Luna and Frankie Hollywood were all guest Djs. Mario "Smokin" Diaz, became a member of the group and had the longest tenure with the Hot Mix 5 throughout their radio time in Chicago.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]The Hot Mix 5 were created as the resident DJs on Chicago FM radio station WBMX's Saturday Night Live Ain't No Jive mix show hosted by Armando Rivera. Shortly after, additional programming such as Friday Night Jams, Mini Mixes and specialty edited remixes were added. The Chicago house music scene grew as the Hot Mix 5 show and WBMX became the #1 radio show in Chicago which obtained over 2 Million viewers.[citation needed] Mickey Oliver became known by his editing and turntable skills, and Keith, Rosario and Jason each had their own unique styles.
The City of Chicago recognized the Hot Mix 5's contribution to the creation of house music and honored them by presenting each original member with an individual street named after them,[citation needed] and in addition a street called "Hot Mix 5 Way", which is located in downtown Chicago on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive.[4] Kenny Jason was presented with a street sign which is called DJ Kenny Jammin Jason Boulevard, located on the corner of Kedzie and Logan Blvd near Logan Square in Chicago.[5] Farley also received a street sign which is located at 13th & Michigan, also in Chicago. Mickey Oliver's street sign is located at the Belmont Red Line stop On Belmont & Wilton. Mickey Oliver went on to have a major show at the Planet Hollywood casino in Las Vegas. The theatrical presentation told the story of how music became a world wide genre. Mickey also starred as Actor ! on ABC TV Las Vegas, Direct TV, Dish Network in the TC show, IN-TEN-SI-T TV. The Hot Mix 5 DJs continue to perform globally. The Guardian, widely known as the #1 publication in the world named the Hot Mix 5 as one of the top 10 DJs of all time. Voodoo Pizza, a pizza shop in London, has previously served a Hot Mix 5 themed pizza.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ↑ Hot Mix 5 CD
- ↑ HOT MIX 5’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY
- ↑ The 35th Anniversary Reunion Of WBMX's Hot Mix 5
- ↑ TimeOut. "The Hot Mix 5 Way | Street smart". October 11 2011.
- ↑ Juan Mendez (Jr) (2010-08-08). Honorary dj kenny jammin Jason. Retrieved 2026-09-23 – via YouTube.