Underground music was built on love, unity, respect, and inclusivity. Mixmag is celebrating Black History Month over the next four weeks in commemoration of electronic music's most cherished and revered artists who embraced these founding values.

This week, we're putting our hands up for Detroit, the birthplace of North American techno and the starting point for many of the undergrounds most legendary, forging talents.

There's no discussion of Detroit Techno without mention of The Belleville Three. The legendary trio made up of Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins and Derrick May are celebrated as the founders of the seminal genre. The trio met in high school, became close-knit friends and were all heavily influenced by the downtrodden socio-economic status of Detroit at the time. Motifs of violence, economic collapse and cultural despair led to industrial and desolate themes.

Through it all, the three embraced music and each became icons in their own right. Juan Atkins became known as The Initiator, Derrick May The Innovator and Kevin Saunderson The Elevator.

After forging an incredible underground culture within the city and helping grow what is now known as Movement Electronic Music Fesitval, Saunderson, Atkins and May branched off into their own projects with the labels KMS, Metroplex and Om and Transmat, respectively.

After an extended hiatus as The Belleville Three, the trio finally plan to return and share the stage at this years Coachella and Movement in Detroit.

Follow this link:

Celebrating Black History: Detroit Techno icons - Mixmag