Another one of those quntessential contributors to the History of contemporary groove we had for quite a while on our chat want list here on IDMW.Com is Chicago-based Glenn Underground. A man whose name is firmly attached to top quality work as producer (included on the list of those who've contributed to the Elements Of Life's Extensions album to be released this week) – not to mention his awesome DJ skills – remains cruelly amongst the most underrated on the worldwide circuit despite nearly 2 decades in full effect…

(Real) identity ?

Glenn Crocker

Date and place of birth ?

Age 33. Born in Chicago.

Passport number ?

Hahahahahaha hehehehehe!

Your childhhod/environment/studies/background ?

My childhood was basic like any other, but I come from a strong family, that raised me to be the best. My studies were the basics grade school, High school, a lil college. Never studied music at school, but rather in the streets of Chicago. So basically I taught myself to play the Keys.

Your heroes/those would got you into music/house ?

God of the creation 1st. He inspires all things, But who taght me the ropes of DJing, was my uncle David Collins. He was a great DJ dating from 1977 all the way into the beginning of House Music in the 80's. My step dad who tried to show me in my beginning of producing. Larry Heard is one of my heroes also, as well as Lil' Louis because he brought new energy to the original scene, as Larry laid the foundation.

When was it ? The very first record you've bought ?

I don't remember, I guess it was in 1984 and I've been collecting my own records since then. That is when I began DJing.

Your very first gig ? Your very first production ?

My 1st gig (real gig) was the 'Its House Social Club'. That was in 1986 on the South/East side of Chicago where the sound of House Originated (this is where all the great DJ's in the city come from). To ans. the next Q., my very 1st production was this track I made in 86 called "Sounds Of The Underground". It was kind of a good 1st production, but it's funny thinking of it.

Chicago at the time ?

Slow motion. I personally am trying to bring it back since all the greats have left out of the city. And I am thinking of retiring also from producing…

Chicago back in the days of early house ?

It was the greatest place on the planet. The house scene then made Men become Men and Women become Women. It is true. It kept crime off the streets. It was a surrealist way of life.

How would you describe Chicago as compared to Detroit, Philadelphia, NYC, San Francisco ?

About the same as right now. It's hard to compare, but those names of cities you mentioned have always had a dance music scene. This said, we (Chicago) taught there asses about music called House.

What is it to be a Chicagoan DJ nowadays ?

I think that question should be : what is like to be a black DJ in Chicago ? And to answer : It is hard like any form of black music. We (the Blacks) lose site of things. We procreate and then the other people watching in hiding steal our shit and lose site of the true meaning and then close us out, so I ain't even a DJ in Chicago !!! I am one for you and the rest of the world…

The local Chicago scene, club/productionwise ?

The local scene is struggling, and productionwise, I don't like a lot the music coming out of the city. Only stuff I like is Anthony Nicholson (my favorite), Ron trent, Mr. Ali, some Mark Grant stuff as well. Everything else is just there.

Lil'Louis said to me at the time that there's never really been a close community in Chicago, meaning no real connections between people right there…

It was at one point, because like Larry Heard said to me before it was no guile in the beginning beginning (I meant to say beginning twice),because every one was new to it.  Lil'louis has always been kind of a loner, but one of the great ones who could have unified the seen, because he took it over at one point in time, and I mean took it over.

You've been working at a time with Boo Williams and are now amongst the Urban Heirs posse. Would it mean that you've always felt safer being somehow surrounded ?

Boo is my brother. The other peeps, I just try to help but sometimes it's hard when they don't like to listen. The Urban Heirs are my home boys, and I am trying to help them find their niche in the game. Though it is one of my companies, I have always been a loner. No, I really don't need no one around, but we all grew up together, so we try to show the lil unity the we have.

Tell us a bit more about Urban Heirs ? The project ? Its participants ? Your goals ?

We have a joint called Urban Ensemble. It is deemed as back Action pt.2, Craig and Matt worked on it, but in the mean time we are being lazy at the moment. I mean, they are… Hahaha !

Your biggest success so far ? Your favourite track of yours ? Any album project ?

I think my truest production is "Funky Ghetto", but I was fucked on that album. My new favorite is "Mental Black Resurrection".

We somehow may feel the presence of African influences on your works. What does this continent represent to you ?

They owned negroes 1st as slaves, so Africa means little to me ! Hopefully I can visit to see it as a tourist, or a DJ, but there's nothing African about my music. Those instruments in my productions were transported with the negroe slaves but they are not African. We (Negroes) and the Africans have the same colour skin, but the Africans are not the progenators of the negroe race, even though I like some African music.

Tell us about Abicah Soul...

" Absolutely Bringing In Chicago Abstract House". Nothing Latin about it, though I have Cuban roots.

Do you feel the need for researches ? Would you have an idea of where your ancestors are coming from ?

I tell you like this, it's from North East of Africa, but the name was changed to Israel, from Caanan (*). And we are not caananites neither, but we descend from Abraham. So you tell me this riddle, that's your home work. LOL

Looks like you have more and more recognition in NYC with labels like Shelter and MAW. Any comment ? A few words about them ?

Yes I do because the NYC labels are about business so far, and these cats are dogs also, so we cool as hell.

Your experience as a part of the ones involved on the Elements Of Life Extensions album ?

Actually I got that Louie's track from a friend in NYC and I liked it. The shit is hot for good listening, so I did my own edit to one of his songs and I played keyboards on it. Then I let LLV hear it over the phone and he digged it so he sent me the orig. parts and it flew from there. I really thank him for the opportunity to be a part of this beautiful project.

How have you known Louie and when ? Are you in regular contact ?

I saw him in Miami, but we officially met in Chicago because we have friends in common. We've been hanging out a few times eating breakfast in Chi Town and he turned out to be very cool, so we stay in contact on the regular. He even sends me music on the regular, and I am producing a song at the moment for LLV to write and direct the vocals to, so this should be interesting. Just something I had him spoke on b4 so I am going to try and do it.

You to me, although being one of the best DJ's in the world, are ironically one of the most underrated ones as well (at least here in Europe) ? How come and how do you feel about this ?

Underrated is true, because I have the skid marks of Chicago on me, but hopefully I will get back to Europe. I haven't been since 1996.

Today's global situation ?

It's all prophecy, it has to be, so we can have a better tomorrow.

Your biggest fight ?

Being Black in America, but I love it, it keeps me aware.

Your biggest wish ?

For all to come into the Glory, of the true Jesus.

The next step for you ?

Paying bills(lol).

When is and what is your next release ?

The Black Resurrection album, something to look for, and to get a Grammy one day.

(*) Reunion of Palestine and Phenicia

GLENN UNDERGROUND Black Resurrection LP (Life Line)

More info : cisco-records.co.jp