The legendary techno producer commemorated the Detroit music scene during the city’s annual Movement Festival this past weekend.
During Detroit’s annual Movement Music Festival weekend, a powerful tribute was held in honor of one of techno’s founding architects – Juan Atkins. Hosted on Festival Memorial Monday, the industry mixer and celebration brought together Roland Corporation, Fusicology, Charivari Detroit, Berklee NYC, and the TV Lounge to pay homage to Atkins’ 40-year legacy of musical innovation. The event underscored his pivotal role in shaping not just Detroit’s techno roots, but the global electronic music landscape.
Frequently hailed as the “Originator of Techno,” Atkins founded Metroplex Records in 1985 – a label that would become a cornerstone of the genre. Through his aliases Model 500 and Infiniti, Atkins released revolutionary tracks like “No UFO’s,” “Night Drive (Through Babylon),” and “Technicolor,” pioneering a sound that would echo through clubs and cultures for generations.
Celebrating Metroplex’s 40th anniversary, Roland presented a commemorative plaque, while attendees were treated to a high-energy DJ set by Eddie Fowlkes, the “Godfather of Techno Soul.” Visual artist and Afrofuturist AbuQadim Haqq unveiled a stunning art activation featuring his iconic work from Metroplex’s Model 500 – Classics and gifted Atkins a custom-designed piece.
“It was a true honor to present this award to Juan at Movement,” said Matthew Chicoine aka Recloose, Marketing Director of DJ and Electronic Music Production at Roland. “We’ve been lucky to create instruments that found their way into the hands of visionaries like Juan—artists who didn’t just make music, but helped invent entirely new styles and scenes. As a brand, Roland has benefited immensely from the global impact of techno, and being able to recognize Juan’s role in that, right here in the epicenter of Detroit, meant a lot.”
Roland’s partnership in the event was fitting for several reasons. The company’s legendary gear – the TR-808, TR-909, and TB-303 – played a foundational role in early techno recordings, including many released on Metroplex. Notably, Juan Atkins was the first artist to use the 808 and 909 together, creating a synchronized rhythmic style that would forever alter the soundscape of electronic music. Roland’s continued support for educational and cultural initiatives keeps that innovative spirit alive today.
“I had a wonderful time joining my community for a celebration of techno music and the strides we’ve made over the past 40 years,” said Atkins. “When I founded Metroplex Records, techno music was just beginning. Along with my mentor Rik Davis and later with my friends Kevin Saunderson, Derick May, and myself—referred to sometimes as the ‘Belleville Three’—we were just experimenting with different beats and gear. Since then, it’s turned into a global movement none of us could have anticipated, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of something so special.”
All proceeds from the event were donated to Love Only, a Detroit-based nonprofit that provides home-cooked meals to the less fortunate.
For more information on Metroplex Records, visit metroplexrecords.com.