In the early 60s, Detroit was known for two things - automobiles and Motown records. They were the dual-foundation of a progressive, cosmopolitan city, with a thriving black middle class. But after the Civil Rights riots of 1967, the cosmopolitan dream of Motor City curdled. The car jobs disappeared, and so did Motown. The once prosperous city became a post-industrial ghost town, setting the stage for a radical new culture.

DJ, producer, and Detroit native Ash Lauryn traces the birth of Techno, a sparse, futuristic music that reimagined the wasteland of Motor City as a futuristic utopia, and reinvigorated the young generation who had been abandoned there.

Part one of Techno: A Social History features stories from the genre’s first architects, elevators, and disciples - Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, DJ Minx, and Richie Hawtin. They had no idea that this new sound of Detroit could thrive elsewhere – but soon enough, their strange music was being packaged up, exported, and applied to disparate contexts the world over.

Produced by Frank Palmer
Sound Design by Granny Eats Wolf
A Cup & Nuzzle production for BBC Radio 4 Show less