One of the most charming DJs in the business. A musical ambassador and a veteran of acid house, a champion of techno, a dance music pioneer, label owner, King of Ibiza – you name it, Carl’s been there and done it, never losing sight of his passions – playing music, breaking tunes and celebrating life.
It was at the age of 15 that Carl bought a set of turntables and began working as a mobile DJ. Disco was the first music that captivated him but by the early 80s Cox had moved on to playing the same music as other young London DJs – rare groove, New York hip-hop and electro. He was perfectly placed to hear Chicago house music in its earliest forms, and when the epic ‘Acid Trax’ by Phuture (a.k.a. DJ Pierre) came out in early ’87.
“It was then that I thought, ‘This is it,’ says Carl. “I would do my parties, and I’d play old rare groove and hip hop and soul and I would say ‘Right you’ve got to hear this Phuture track’ and people would just stop and listen.
As a founder of the sound, Carl rode the exploding British rave scene. He played the opening night of Danny Rampling’s legendary Shoom, co-promoted The Project with Paul Oakenfold, where he also DJ’d and did the sound system. He held a residency at the Zap Club in Brighton and at the Sunrise rave in 1988, hooked up a third turntable for his dawn-breaking set, got 15,000 people back on their feet, and established a personal rep for three-deck wizardry.
Carl continues to be one of most in demand DJs in the world, with countless club dates and festival appearances every year. After 12 years delivering his Carl Cox & Friends stage at Ultra, Carl is now proud to be ambassador for the Resistance parties, for Ultra worldwide. He also now has his own concept party Pure – started with Richie McNeill and Eric Powell, and which turns five this year. Built on the idea of taking things back to basics, Carl put the music first and foremost for some no nonsense, no frills techno parties, which grows by the year, with this year’s Pure events being the biggest to date.
And don’t forget Carl’s other major passion, his beloved motorsports. Having had a love of cars and motorbikes ever since he was a child, Carl has collected cars and bikes most of his life, with over 100 in his current collection. In 2013 Carl started Carl Cox Motorsport, which has quickly grown internationally with the incorporation of various teams and styles of motor racing. From the NZ & World road race Sidecar championships, The Ducati Tri-Options Cup in the UK, to the Post Classic motorcycles and V8 Drag racing in Australia, the teams continue to achieve amazing results with multiple lap records, race wins, championship placings and personal goals being reached.
To be able to utilize what I have learned from the marketing and brand side of my DJ career and to apply it to my passion for motor sport is a great thing. And it’s already made a difference. I never thought the motor team would grow like this, it’s been unbelievable. It’s a huge passion for me and I’m dedicated to continue making it a success.
Carl Cox