Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale
The Godmother of House Music, DJ Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale, will always have a place in the world of music and dance. As the first female house music artist in Detroit, she produces a mix of dance floor hits and orchestral melodies fused with live music. Hotwaxx Hale has left a significant mark on American music culture, having played in prestigious theaters such as the Apollo New York and the Fox Detroit, as well as iconic underground dance music clubs like "Studio 54" and "The Warehouse." Currently, she has a residency at Spotlite Detroit and Marble Bar Detroit, while also maintaining an international presence with past performances in London, Ibiza, France, Mexico, Berlin, Amsterdam, Toronto, and throughout the United States.
In the late 80s, Hotwaxx Hale became the first female DJ to spin house music on Detroit radio, and she has remained a prominent figure in music curation for several decades. Flourishing in the birthplace of techno, she skillfully blends house and techno with funk, hip-hop, and Motown soul to maintain a seamless flow, resulting in a diverse, devoted following of all ages.
Aside from being a resident DJ at multiple renowned Motown radio stations, Hotwaxx achieved a significant milestone by triumphing over 600 DJs in the Motor City Mix contest, earning a grand prize of $10,000. At present, she hosts radio shows like "Twisted Tuesdays" at 12n Deepspaceradio, and "GMH Disciples" on Saturdays from 5p-7p, and streams live on Blast Radio and techno-club.net.
Hotwaxx's love for music extends beyond performance and into education, both for youth and adults. As a head instructor, she taught DJ and production classes at the Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME) through SPIN INC. Additionally, she contributes her expertise to yearly events such as the Girls Rock Detroit (GRD) camp, Give A Beat, Seraphine Collective, and Detroit Students of the Arts (DSA).
Her artistic vision expands beyond DJing to include live music performances. Her group, Nyumba Muziki, has played at various venues such as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Opera House, and Detroit 300 Conservancy. Additionally, she currently serves as the Assistant Music Director/DJ for Jessica Care Moore's Black Women Rock Band, as well as a founding member of the Detroit Chapter of Women in Music.
Hotwaxx co-founded the Sheometry Music & Arts Festival with DJ Minx in 2019, a celebration of various music genres and visual arts that highlights undiscovered female artists and those with international acclaim. The festival aims to reach communities with limited exposure to the arts and is held annually in multiple locations.