Record producer; DJ; pop-star? Marc ‘MK’ Kinchen’s career has taken many twists and turns over the last two decades, but the last eighteen months or so have seen the rise of a phenomenon. Now, with the full release of his seminal ‘Always’ and shows at Booom Ibiza and GlobalGathering just over the horizon, we ask the question: where next?
More than two decades since Detroit’s own, Marc ‘MK’ Kinchen released his first record, ‘Something New’ on Kevin Saunderson’s legendary KMS label, the studio maestro remains one of dance music’s most essential producers. Managing to balance underground credibility with mainstream success, MK has succeeded and endured where many have fallen short, cementing his position as one of the innately most talented electronic musicians of not just one, but multiple generations.
Since his early years at Saunderson’s infamous Detroit KMS studio, MK has lent his magic to a broad array of international artists from all genres including Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Dev, Sky Ferreira, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Janet Jackson and – more recently - Lana Del Ray and Ellie Goulding. He has also worked closely with music legends like Quincy Jones and has twice entered the UK singles charts Top 5: first in 1995 with his remix of Nightcrawlers ‘Push The Feeling On’ and more recently in 2013 when his remix of Storm Queen ‘Look Right Through’ hit the top spot after a release on Defected Records/Ministry Of Sound.
A handful of MK’s early releases like ‘Burning’ and ‘Always’ have, over the last 20 years or so, become iconic: in their original forms they still stand out a superior cuts amid a slew of records they have inspired. In turn, records like these have formed the blueprint from which many of today’s up-and-coming producers have forged their careers.
One such producer is Route 94, a ferociously talented youngster who last year topped the UK charts with ‘My Love feat. Jess Glyne’. A protégé of MK, it is fitting that it is his remix of ‘Always’ that has reintroduced this house classic to a new generation. MK has been back for some time now, but his influence has never been more keenly felt, nor his enthusiasm for house music burned more fiercely.
Some of the credit for MK’s resurgence and newfound enthusiasm can go to friend and Defected boss, Simon Dunmore. It was Dunmore’s constant persistence with reaching out to MK over and over… and over again that inspired MK to step out of the confines of the studio and to re-embrace house music once again. Dunmore was so enthusiastic about MK’s return that he gave him his own House Masters late in 2011. The release was received so positively that Dunmore returned to MK with another opportunity to have his first ever full length mix album, MK In The House, which more than a year after its release remains firmly in the iTunes top 100 dance albums chart.
Outside of the studio, MK has established himself as arguably the hottest house DJ on the planet, eliciting near feverish dancefloor reactions whenever he appears behind the decks. And not least among the dates on his exceptionally busy touring schedule have been those he has played for Defected In The House.
Starting out 2014 with a road-blocked headline appearance at Defected’s New Year’s Eve party at Ministry of Sound, MK went on to play sold-out shows at Pacha Sydney, Sotovento, Barcelona and – just this week – the first of several shows at Booom Ibiza. The reaction of the thousands of clubbers to this final show especially was nothing short of spectacular.
MK returns to Booom Ibiza a further three times over the summer, playing for Defected In The House 29 July, 26 August and 23 September. Interspersed with those dates are headline appearances at two further Defected festival shows, Sundown Norwich 30 August, and most imminently at the Defected15 stage at this year’s edition of GlobalGathering Friday 25 July
Read our preview of Defected15 at GlobalGathering here
So what’s next for the shape-shifting darling of the electronic world? The answer it turns out is surprisingly simple: keep doing what’s he has been doing for his entire career; evolving, entertaining and above all, enjoying what his music means to so many people around the world. Despite all his years in the studio, MK is still learning, “Its’ been 20 years since I made ‘Burning’ and ‘Love Changes’ and that was during the time I was not DJing, so it is awesome that 20 years later I get to see people react and dance to my songs in front of me. It’s a rush and an amazing experience. It leaves me smiling and speechless every time”.
Always (Route 94 Remix) is out 20 July on Ministry of Sound/Defected Records - order from iTunes
MK plays the Defected In The House stage at GlobalGathering Saturday 26 July - click for full line-up and tickets. For all other MK dates with Defected, head to www.defected.com/events
