Hot Mix 5
The Hot Mix 5 were an American DJ crew originating from Chicago, Illinois which formed in 1981. The founding members were Farley "Funkin" Keith (later known as Farley "Jackmaster" Funk), Mickey "Mixin" Oliver, Scott "Smokin" Silz, Ralphi Rosario and Kenny "Jammin" Jason. In 1982, Scott Silz was asked to leave the group and was replaced by Julian "Jumpin" Perez in 1984, as the winner of a HMF sponsored DJ Battle. Another DJ, Jeff Davis, was supposed to be a sixth member, but Silz mentioned in an interview that he never showed up, leaving just the five members.[1]
Created to act as the resident DJs on Chicago FM radio station (now defunct) WBMX's Saturday Night Live Ain't No Jive mix show hosted by Armando Rivera, the members quickly established themselves on the radio as the first mix show team of DJs. As their popularity grew, a second show, Friday Night Jams, was added as well as noontime hour-long mixes during the week dubbed the 'Hot Lunch Mix'. The Chicago house music scene exploded with other DJ/artists who listened to, followed and submitted their tracks for airplay to the Hot Mix 5 members for use in the weekly mix show on WBMX.
Farley left in 1987 to join competing station WGCI. In lieu of a permanent replacement, a rotating group of guest mixers filled the fifth slot including Bad Boy Bill, Mike "Hitman" Wilson, and Frankie "Hollywood" Rodriguez. Kenny, Mickey and Ralph later moved to WGCI to rejoin Farley.
The City of Chicago, Illinois recognized the Hot Mix 5 members contribution to the creation of the house music genre and honored them by presenting each member with an individual street named after them, and a "Hot Mix 5 Way" street which is located downtown on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive. Today, The Hot Mix 5 members continue to perform globally individually and sometimes as a team.