DJ Pierre (real name — Nathaniel Pierre Jones) is an American DJ, producer, composer, and one of the founders of the acid house genre. He pioneered the sound that shaped modern electronic music and had a massive influence on the development of house, techno, trance, and EDM.
DJ Pierre is the name behind the birth of the 303 sound and the global rave culture.
Early Life
Nathaniel Jones was born on July 18, 1965, in Chicago (USA) — one of the key birthplaces of house music. From a young age, he showed interest in music, listening to funk, disco, jazz, gospel, and soul. He was deeply influenced by artists like James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock, and Giorgio Moroder. During the 1980s, Chicago experienced a booming club culture, where early house sounds emerged — and young Pierre found himself at the epicenter of this movement.
Career Beginnings and the Birth of Acid House
DJ Pierre began his career in the mid-1980s, performing house and disco sets in Chicago clubs. In 1985, together with friends Spanky (Earl Smith Jr.) and Herb J (Herbert Jackson), he formed the group Phuture. Inspired by experiments with the Roland TB-303 synthesizer, they created a completely new sound — pulsing basslines, acid modulations, and minimalist rhythms. Thus, the track “Acid Tracks” (1987) was born — the first-ever acid house record, marking a new era in electronic music.
The premiere of “Acid Tracks” took place at the legendary Music Box club, where Ron Hardy played. The track caused a sensation, and the acid style quickly gained popularity in the U.S. and Europe, especially in the UK. Following Phuture’s success, artists like Armando, DJ Spank-Spank, Adonis, and Marshall Jefferson began exploring the genre.
Career Development
After Phuture’s success, DJ Pierre launched a solo career, collaborating with major labels like Trax Records, Strictly Rhythm, King Street Sounds, and DJ International. He developed his signature sound by blending house, tech house, disco, and elements of hip-hop. In the 1990s, Pierre became a key figure on the New York scene, performing regularly at iconic clubs such as Sound Factory, The Tunnel, and Limelight.
In 1994, he released the hit “Generate Power”, which became an anthem of house culture. Later came classics like “Muzik Set You Free”, “We Are Phuture”, “Fall” (feat. Stephanie Cooke), “Acid Love”, and “Switch 2001”.
Pierre also released music under aliases such as Photon Inc., Dope Guy, Darkman, and DJ Pierre's Afro Acid Project.
Discography (Selected)
As part of Phuture
Acid Tracks (1987)
We Are Phuture (1988)
Slam (1988)
Spank-Acid (1989)
Solo and Collaborations
Generate Power (1994)
Come Together (1996)
Everybody Dance (1999)
Love Will Bring Us Back Together (2002)
What Is House Muzik (2004)
House Will Survive (2009)
ACiD Revolution (2011)
Wild Pitch: The Story (2017)
Let the Music Take You Higher (2021)
Style and Influence
DJ Pierre is recognized as the creator of acid house and the originator of the wild pitch style — a subgenre of house characterized by gradually building rhythms and intensifying tension. His music is a fusion of groove, hypnosis, and spirituality. Pierre has never confined himself to one genre — his tracks combine house, techno, funk, and gospel while maintaining the distinctive acid core.
He influenced generations of artists — from Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim to modern producers like Solomun, Honey Dijon, Peggy Gou, and Amelie Lens.
Live Performances and Projects
DJ Pierre is a regular headliner at major festivals including Tomorrowland, Movement Detroit, Awakenings, Time Warp, Miami WMC, and Defected Croatia. He also runs his own event brand, Afro Acid, hosting parties in the U.S. and Europe that promote house music as a symbol of freedom and unity.
In the 2010s, he founded Afro Acid Records, a label dedicated to releasing both his own music and that of emerging producers. It has become a platform for a new wave of acid and deep house artists.
Achievements
- Co-creator of the acid house genre (with Phuture)
- Over 100 official releases on major labels
- Recipient of the DJ Mag Top 100 Pioneer Award for contributions to electronic music
- Headliner at global festivals
- Inducted into the Chicago House Hall of Fame
- His tracks are featured in “Top 100 Essential House Classics” lists
Interesting Facts
- DJ Pierre recorded “Acid Tracks” in just one day using a Roland TB-303 — unaware he was creating a new genre.
- Initially, audiences didn’t understand the sound, but after Ron Hardy’s performance, it became legendary.
- Pierre’s philosophy, “Afro Acid,” views music as spiritual energy and a path to self-expression.
- Despite global fame, he continues to live between Atlanta and Chicago, staying true to his roots.
- Collaborated with Marshall Jefferson, Felix Da Housecat, Green Velvet, and Armando.
- Believes music should “spread light and unite people regardless of race or religion.”
- In 2024, he celebrated the 35th anniversary of acid house with a special set and the release “Acid 35.”
Legacy
DJ Pierre is not just a musician but an architect of modern club culture. He stood at the origins of house and techno, inspired generations of artists, and gave the world a unique sound that defines electronic music today. His work embodies the living history of Chicago house — the energy, freedom, and endless groove that continue to move dancefloors worldwide.
