Lee Foss is an American DJ, music producer, and one of the leading figures in modern house and tech house music. He is best known as the founder of the labels Hot Creations, Emerald City, and Repopulate Mars, as well as a member of the acclaimed projects Hot Natured and Pleasure State. Foss is considered one of the artists who redefined the sound of club music in the 2010s by blending disco, funk, and deep house with modern groove and melodic depth.
Early Years
Lee Foss was born and raised in Chicago (USA) — the birthplace of house music. From a young age, he was passionate about DJing, drawing inspiration from scene pioneers such as Frankie Knuckles, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, and Green Velvet. His first experiments with sound began in the 1990s, when he played at local parties and recorded early mixtapes on cassettes.
A key moment came with a trip to London, where Foss discovered European club culture and met producer Jamie Jones — his future friend and Hot Creations co-founder.
Breakthrough and Hot Creations
In 2010, Lee Foss and Jamie Jones launched the label Hot Creations, which quickly became a global phenomenon. The label defined a new generation of house — warm, emotional, yet deep and danceable. Hot Creations became a launchpad for artists such as Patrick Topping, Richy Ahmed, Deniz Kurtel, Claptone, and ANOTR.
Foss gained recognition with hits like “Your Turn Girl”, “U Got Me”, and “The Gift”, as well as collaborations with MK (Marc Kinchen) and Anabel Englund.
Music Projects
Hot Natured
In 2011, Lee Foss and Jamie Jones formed the project Hot Natured, later joined by Ali Love and Luca C. The group became a defining act of the new deep house era, releasing the acclaimed album “Different Sides of the Sun” (2013), featuring the hits “Benediction” and “Reverse Skydiving.”
Pleasure State
In 2014, Lee Foss, MK, and Anabel Englund launched Pleasure State, a project focused on a more melodic and vocal-driven sound. Tracks like “Ghost in the System” and “Electricity” became club chart favorites.
Style and Sound
Lee Foss’s music is a fusion of house, deep house, disco, and tech, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere, emotion, and groove. He is known for his “sunny” and melodic sound that makes his DJ sets instantly recognizable.
Signature elements:
- Warm analog synthesizers;
- Soul and R&B samples;
- Vocal lines with a psychedelic touch;
- A signature groove influenced by the 80s and 90s.
Selected Discography
- “U Got Me” (2010)
- “Your Turn Girl” (2011)
- “The Gift” (feat. Anabel Englund) (2012)
- “Electricity” (with Pleasure State, 2014)
- “We So Future” (2016)
- “Crawl” (2020)
- “Lies Deception and Fantasy” (2021)
- “Gravity” (with Joshwa, 2023)
Tours and Festivals
Lee Foss is a regular performer at major festivals such as Tomorrowland, Coachella, Ultra Miami, EDC, and Defected Croatia. He has also played at iconic clubs including DC-10 (Ibiza), Fabric (London), Output (New York), and Watergate (Berlin).
Achievements and Influence
- Founder of three successful labels: Hot Creations, Emerald City, Repopulate Mars;
- Over 100 releases topping Beatport charts;
- Named one of the “Top 10 DJs in House” by Mixmag;
- Recognized as one of the most influential DJs in the modern house scene;
- Featured in the iconic Boiler Room and BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix.
Fun Facts
- Lee Foss began his career in Chicago but gained worldwide recognition after moving to Los Angeles.
- His tracks often feature vintage samples from 70s soul and disco records.
- In interviews, he describes himself as a “romantic of the house sound.”
- Repopulate Mars is not just a label, but a global party brand.
- In 2024, Lee Foss launched a mentorship program to support emerging producers in the US and Europe.
Legacy
Lee Foss is one of the artists who made house music vibrant and relevant again. His sound bridges the past and the future, the dancefloor and the soul, energy and emotion. Thanks to his musical intuition and visionary approach, Foss remains one of the most influential producers in the contemporary electronic music scene.
