Steven Hurley
Encyclopedia
Steve "Silk" Hurley is an American
club DJ
, pioneering house-music
producer
, songwriter
, and four time Grammy Award
-nominee. Two times as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical (in 1999 and 2000), respectively twice for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
(in 2002 and 2003).
From 1985 to 1988, he scored four Top 10 singles on the US Dance chart, including the number one hit "I Can't Turn Around
", all released in collaboration with Keith Nunnally as J.M. Silk. With "Jack Your Body
" (number #25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play), he topped the UK Singles Chart
in January 1987 as a solo artist, while one of his later compositions, "Work it Out
" from 1989, brought him his fifth Top 10 record on US Dance (at number #3). To date, the Hurley's last charting single "The Word Is Love (Say The Word)
", also known as "Silk's Anthem of Life" by The Voices of Life, peaked in 1997 at #26 in England.
at Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy (originally named Lindblom Technical High School) in Chicago, Illinois, and later at junior college but dropped out by 1981 to concentrate on his music career full-time.
in Chicago in the mid 1980s. Hurley's mixing
style is different than the usual radio
–nightclub
DJ who plays house music (such as Tony Humphries
on WRKS in the early 1990s), since his style of club mixing incorporates advanced DJ tricks only done by hip hop DJs or turntablists such as scratching
, cutting
, drop outs, back spins, and beat juggling
. He released song
s under the stage name
of Steve "Silk" Hurley and, with vocalist Keith Nunnally, had many hits on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart as J.M. Silk, including "I Can't Turn Around
," which hit Number one in 1986.
His song
"Jack Your Body
" was also a hit on the UK Singles Chart
, reaching number one for two weeks in January and February 1987. This was the UK
's first house-music
chart topper, achieving the number one spot with the distinction of never having been played on BBC Radio One - club exposure alone was enough to guarantee success.However, the track broke the chart rules, since the 12-inch format exceeded the then-current five minute time limit. In spite of "Jack Your Body's" success, Hurley has had no further singles
(under his own name) reach the UK Chart, thus condemning him to one-hit wonder
status. In 1988, he released an album titled Work it out Compilation on Atlantic Records
.
Hurley also worked as a prominent remix
er, re-working tracks for the likes of Madonna
("Take a Bow"); Michael Jackson
("Jam", "Remember The Time"); Debbie Gibson ("We Could Be Together"); Jennifer Lopez
("Aint it Funny"); Bananarama
("Tripping on Your Love"); Brandy
("What About Us"); En Vogue
("Strange"); CeCe Peniston
("We Got a Love Thang
", "Keep On Walkin'", "I'm In The Mood
", "Searchin'
", "I'm Not Over You", "Nobody Else
", "He Loves Me 2" and "My Boo
"); Dannii Minogue
("Baby Love"); New Order
("Fine Time"); Taylor Dayne
("I'll Wait"); Diana Ross
("You're Gonna Love It"); Crystal Waters
("Makin' Happy"); Prince
("Gett Off"); Black Box
("Fantasy," "I Don't Know Anybody Else"); and the Party, which was a band composed of five Mickey Mouse Club
cast members ("Free"). One of Hurley's notable early remixes was a transformation of Roberta Flack
's 1989 song "Uh-Uh, Ooh-Ooh, Look Out (Here It Comes)" that took the soft ballad into the house-music realm by removing all but the vocal from the track and substituting a minimalist set of house-styled percussion tracks.
In addition to remixing songs, Steve "Silk" Hurley has also worked as a record producer. Among the noteworthy dance/pop crossover hits for which Hurley is credited as the producer are Jomanda
's "Got a Love for You" (#40 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 Billboard Dance/Club Play, #66 Billboard R&B), Kym Sims
' "Too Blind to See It" (#38 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #5 Billboard Dance/Club Play), Ce Ce Peniston's "We Got a Love Thang
" (#20 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play, #38 in US R&B), "Keep On Walkin' (=15 Hot 100, No.1 on US Dance, No.3 on US R&B), "I'm In The Mood
" (#32 on Hot 100, No.1 in US Dance, No.7 on US R&B), ""I'm Not Over You" (#41 in Hot 100, No.2 on US Dance, No.10 in US R&B) and "He Loves Me 2" (No.24 in US Dance), and Clubland
featuring Zemya Hamilton's "Hold on Tighter to Love" (#79 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 Billboard Dance/Club Play).
Hurley was nominated for a Grammy Award
as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical in 1998 and 1999, and for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
in 2002 and 2003.
Steve "Silk" Hurley's remixes can be heard on The Tom Joyner Morning Show every Tuesday and Thursday morning during the last half of the second hour of the nationally syndicated morning show which originates from Dallas, Texas from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. CST. The show is also streamed live and throughout the day on www.blackamericaweb.com.
with "Love Can't Turn Around
," recorded as Farley "Jackmaster" Funk. Hurley, however, claimed the track was a blatant theft of one of his own productions, and the two stopped speaking to each other.
At that time, Farley Keith shared an apartment with the fellow DJ/producer, who came up with a cover of an Isaac Hayes
' disco record, called "I Can't Turn Around
", from 1975. Before Hurley could arrange to have the record licensed for overseas distribution, Keith, keeping much of Hurley's instrumental arrangement, dropped the rest of Hayes
' original lyric, while Vince Lawrence
supplied new words. The final result officially became the first ever Chicago house record to reach the music charts. Ironically, Hurley's version topped the US Dance chart, and the producer later got his satisfaction by trumping Keith's success with "Jack Your Body".
}
| style="text-align:left;" |Keith Nunnally
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
|1992
| style="text-align:left;" |"Melody"
| style="text-align:left;" |Steve "Silk" Hurley
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
|1997
| style="text-align:left;" |"The Word Is Love
"
| style="text-align:left;" |The Voices of Life featuring Sharon Pass
| 15
| 26
| —
| —
|
|-
|2000
| style="text-align:left;" |"Dubs from the Dungeon Vol.1"
| style="text-align:left;" |Steve "Silk" Hurley
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
|2002
| style="text-align:left;" |"Don't Give Up"
| style="text-align:left;" |The Voices of Life featuring Gordon Chambers
| —
| —
| —
| —
|non-album single
|-
|rowspan="2"|2003
| style="text-align:left;" |"Stop Playin'"
| style="text-align:left;" |SilkMix.com vs. The 2 Live Crew
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |"Runnin' Away
"
| style="text-align:left;" |The Voices of Life featuring Sharon Pass
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
|-
|colspan="8" style="font-size: 8pt"| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that region.
|-
|}
Notes:
ASCAP Award
Grammy Award
Other Awards
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
club DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, pioneering house-music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and four time Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-nominee. Two times as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical (in 1999 and 2000), respectively twice for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
The Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical is an honor presented to producers for quality remixed recordings at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
(in 2002 and 2003).
From 1985 to 1988, he scored four Top 10 singles on the US Dance chart, including the number one hit "I Can't Turn Around
I Can't Turn Around
"I Can't Turn Around" is a song written and originally performed by Isaac Hayes as the lead single from his 1975 album Chocolate Chip.In 1986, a house music cover of the song by J.M. Silk reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with lead vocals performed by Keith...
", all released in collaboration with Keith Nunnally as J.M. Silk. With "Jack Your Body
Jack Your Body
Jack Your Body is a popular song by Steve 'Silk' Hurley, which was featured on the only J.M. Silk album, Hold on to Your Dream, released in 1987....
" (number #25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play), he topped the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in January 1987 as a solo artist, while one of his later compositions, "Work it Out
Work It Out (Steve "Silk" Hurley song)
"Work It Out" is the Steve "Silk" Hurley's debut single released on Atlantic Records in 1989.The song was the lead single taken from the producer's compilation album Work It Out Compilation, which featured additional seven tracks recorded in collaboration with such likes as M-Doc, Jamie Principle,...
" from 1989, brought him his fifth Top 10 record on US Dance (at number #3). To date, the Hurley's last charting single "The Word Is Love (Say The Word)
Word Is Love
"The Word Is Love " is a 1997 song released by Hurley's & Voices of Life, featuring vocals by Sharon Pass.Apart from others record companies, the single was released on the producer's own label Silk Entertainment in several editions. However, the composition written by Hurley himself along with...
", also known as "Silk's Anthem of Life" by The Voices of Life, peaked in 1997 at #26 in England.
Early life
Hurley studied engineeringUniversity of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering
The College of Engineering is an academic department at the University of Illinois at Chicago offering both undergraduate and graduate programs of study.-History:...
at Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy (originally named Lindblom Technical High School) in Chicago, Illinois, and later at junior college but dropped out by 1981 to concentrate on his music career full-time.
Career
Hurley gained worldwide fame as a DJ on the Saturday Night Live Ain't No Jive Dance Party on WBMXWVAZ
WVAZ, known locally as "V-103", is an urban adult contemporary radio station that is licensed to Oak Park. WVAZ is owned by Clear Channel, alongside sister stations WGCI-FM and WGRB-AM. In 2005, WVAZ began broadcasting in IBOC digital radio, using the HD Radio system from iBiquity.- History :The...
in Chicago in the mid 1980s. Hurley's mixing
DJ mix
A DJ mix or DJ mixset is a sequence of musical tracks typically mixed together to appear as one continuous track. When a DJ mix or DJ mixset is recorded onto some medium, it is often referred to as a mix tape...
style is different than the usual radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
–nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
DJ who plays house music (such as Tony Humphries
Tony Humphries
Tony Humphries is a former Administrator of the British Indian Ocean Territory , a British overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Humphries was Administrator from February 2005 to December 2007.-References:...
on WRKS in the early 1990s), since his style of club mixing incorporates advanced DJ tricks only done by hip hop DJs or turntablists such as scratching
Scratching
Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
, cutting
Cutting
Cutting is the separation of a physical object, or a portion of a physical object, into two portions, through the application of an acutely directed force. An implement commonly used for cutting is the knife or in medical cases the scalpel...
, drop outs, back spins, and beat juggling
Beat juggling
Beat juggling is the act of manipulating two or more samples , in order to create a unique composition, using multiple turntables and one or more mixers. This can involve pauses, scratching, backspins and delays...
. He released song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s under the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of Steve "Silk" Hurley and, with vocalist Keith Nunnally, had many hits on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart as J.M. Silk, including "I Can't Turn Around
I Can't Turn Around
"I Can't Turn Around" is a song written and originally performed by Isaac Hayes as the lead single from his 1975 album Chocolate Chip.In 1986, a house music cover of the song by J.M. Silk reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with lead vocals performed by Keith...
," which hit Number one in 1986.
His song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
"Jack Your Body
Jack Your Body
Jack Your Body is a popular song by Steve 'Silk' Hurley, which was featured on the only J.M. Silk album, Hold on to Your Dream, released in 1987....
" was also a hit on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, reaching number one for two weeks in January and February 1987. This was the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's first house-music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
chart topper, achieving the number one spot with the distinction of never having been played on BBC Radio One - club exposure alone was enough to guarantee success.However, the track broke the chart rules, since the 12-inch format exceeded the then-current five minute time limit. In spite of "Jack Your Body's" success, Hurley has had no further singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
(under his own name) reach the UK Chart, thus condemning him to one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
status. In 1988, he released an album titled Work it out Compilation on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
Hurley also worked as a prominent remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
er, re-working tracks for the likes of Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
("Take a Bow"); Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
("Jam", "Remember The Time"); Debbie Gibson ("We Could Be Together"); Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
("Aint it Funny"); Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
("Tripping on Your Love"); Brandy
Brandy (entertainer)
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
("What About Us"); En Vogue
En Vogue
En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music...
("Strange"); CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
("We Got a Love Thang
We Got a Love Thang
"We Got a Love Thang" is a 1991 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, originally released on her debut album Finally from 1992.The song was co-written by Chantay Savage, and became the second number one hit for the artist, remaining on the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart two weeks...
", "Keep On Walkin'", "I'm In The Mood
I'm in the Mood
"I'm In The Mood" is a 1993 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as the first commercial single taken from Thought 'Ya Knew, the singer's second studio album....
", "Searchin'
Searchin' (CeCe Peniston song)
"Searchin" is a 1993 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, taken from her second solo album Thought 'Ya Knew on A&M Records.However, the single was released only as a promotional release in United Kingdom, which included three remixes by Jamie Principle) , the song was later...
", "I'm Not Over You", "Nobody Else
Nobody Else (CeCe Peniston song)
"Nobody Else" is a 1998 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.The composition was to be the lead single of the singer's originally scheduled album release on the Silk Entertainment label, as well as reportedly released on Steve Hurley's compillation The Voices of Life, Vol 1. The production of her...
", "He Loves Me 2" and "My Boo
My Boo (CeCe Peniston song)
"My Boo " is a song by the musician CeCe Peniston, which was released on the Steve Hurley's own record labelin February 2001 as the singer's last single issued on Silk Entertainment, and to date her final collaboration with the producer alone as well.The single release followed the US Dance success...
"); Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
("Baby Love"); New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
("Fine Time"); Taylor Dayne
Taylor Dayne
Taylor Dayne was born Leslie Wunderman on March 7, 1962 before later adopting her current stage name. She is an American pop vocalist, songwriter, and dance artist. Overall, she has had eighteen individual hit songs reach the top ten in Billboard magazine...
("I'll Wait"); Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
("You're Gonna Love It"); Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters is an American dance music singer and songwriter.-Childhood and young adult life:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Waters is the daughter of Betty and Junior Waters, a famed jazz musician; her great aunt, Ethel Waters, was one of the first African-American vocalists to appear in...
("Makin' Happy"); Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
("Gett Off"); Black Box
Black Box (band)
Black Box was an Italian house music group popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The members of the group included a trio made up of a club DJ , a classically trained clarinet teacher , and a keyboard and electronic music "wiz"...
("Fantasy," "I Don't Know Anybody Else"); and the Party, which was a band composed of five Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club
The Mickey Mouse Club is an American variety television show that began in 1955, produced by Walt Disney Productions and televised by the ABC, featuring a regular but ever-changing cast of teenage performers. The Mickey Mouse Club was created by Walt Disney...
cast members ("Free"). One of Hurley's notable early remixes was a transformation of Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
's 1989 song "Uh-Uh, Ooh-Ooh, Look Out (Here It Comes)" that took the soft ballad into the house-music realm by removing all but the vocal from the track and substituting a minimalist set of house-styled percussion tracks.
In addition to remixing songs, Steve "Silk" Hurley has also worked as a record producer. Among the noteworthy dance/pop crossover hits for which Hurley is credited as the producer are Jomanda
Jomanda
Johanna Wilhelmina Petronella Damman, known under her nickname Jomanda , is a controversial Dutch New Age guru who refers to herself as the Lady of the light.- Background :...
's "Got a Love for You" (#40 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 Billboard Dance/Club Play, #66 Billboard R&B), Kym Sims
Kym Sims
Kym Sims is an American singer, whose biggest success came outside her home market. Sims began her career as an advertising jingle singer before breaking through into the dance music market.-Career:...
' "Too Blind to See It" (#38 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #5 Billboard Dance/Club Play), Ce Ce Peniston's "We Got a Love Thang
We Got a Love Thang
"We Got a Love Thang" is a 1991 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, originally released on her debut album Finally from 1992.The song was co-written by Chantay Savage, and became the second number one hit for the artist, remaining on the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart two weeks...
" (#20 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play, #38 in US R&B), "Keep On Walkin' (=15 Hot 100, No.1 on US Dance, No.3 on US R&B), "I'm In The Mood
I'm in the Mood
"I'm In The Mood" is a 1993 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as the first commercial single taken from Thought 'Ya Knew, the singer's second studio album....
" (#32 on Hot 100, No.1 in US Dance, No.7 on US R&B), ""I'm Not Over You" (#41 in Hot 100, No.2 on US Dance, No.10 in US R&B) and "He Loves Me 2" (No.24 in US Dance), and Clubland
Clubland (group)
Clubland was a house-music act assembled by Swedish producer Jan Ekholm and British musician Morgan King. Lead vocals were performed by Jamaican/Swedish singer Zemya Hamilton....
featuring Zemya Hamilton's "Hold on Tighter to Love" (#79 Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 Billboard Dance/Club Play).
Hurley was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical in 1998 and 1999, and for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
The Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical is an honor presented to producers for quality remixed recordings at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
in 2002 and 2003.
Steve "Silk" Hurley's remixes can be heard on The Tom Joyner Morning Show every Tuesday and Thursday morning during the last half of the second hour of the nationally syndicated morning show which originates from Dallas, Texas from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. CST. The show is also streamed live and throughout the day on www.blackamericaweb.com.
Hurley vs Keith
In 1986, Farley Keith had stunned the Chicago community when he hit the top ten of the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
with "Love Can't Turn Around
Love Can't Turn Around
"Love Can't Turn Around" was a 1986 single by Farley "Jackmaster" Funk featuring Darryl Pandy. It holds an important place in the history of house music as the first record in that genre to cross over from the clubs into the UK Singles Chart.-History:...
," recorded as Farley "Jackmaster" Funk. Hurley, however, claimed the track was a blatant theft of one of his own productions, and the two stopped speaking to each other.
At that time, Farley Keith shared an apartment with the fellow DJ/producer, who came up with a cover of an Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
' disco record, called "I Can't Turn Around
I Can't Turn Around
"I Can't Turn Around" is a song written and originally performed by Isaac Hayes as the lead single from his 1975 album Chocolate Chip.In 1986, a house music cover of the song by J.M. Silk reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with lead vocals performed by Keith...
", from 1975. Before Hurley could arrange to have the record licensed for overseas distribution, Keith, keeping much of Hurley's instrumental arrangement, dropped the rest of Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
' original lyric, while Vince Lawrence
Vince Lawrence
Vince Lawrence is a dance music producer, businessman and is one of the leading innovators of the genre of music called "House Music"....
supplied new words. The final result officially became the first ever Chicago house record to reach the music charts. Ironically, Hurley's version topped the US Dance chart, and the producer later got his satisfaction by trumping Keith's success with "Jack Your Body".
Albums
| Year | Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hold on to Your Dreams
|
J.M. Silk |
| 1989 | Work It Out Compilation
Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
Steve "Silk" Hurley featuring Jackson & Moore, M-Doc M-Doc M-Doc is a rap artist and producer who was signed to RCA Records and Smash Records in the 1990s. He scored minor chart success with the singles "Free" and "It's a Summer Thang" featuring Chantay Savage... , Jamie Principle Jamie Principle Jamie Principle is a house music artist and producer born in Chicago, Illinois.He is one of the early pioneers of house music when the genre first began in Chicago during the early 1980s... and Risse |
Singles
| Year | Title | Alias | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT | UK | DCP | US Maxi Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
||||
| 1985 | "Music Is the Key Music Is the Key (Steve "Silk" Hurley song) "Music Is the Key" is a the debut single by J.M. Silk, and the first release issued on D.J. International Records in 1985.The song was written by Steve "Silk" Hurley and successfully entered the US Dance chart, where it climbed to number nine, while scoring at number eighteen for U.S. Maxi-Singles... " |
J.M. Silk | — | — | 9 | 18 | The House Sound of Chicago |
| 1986 | "Shadows of Your Love Shadows of Your Love "Shadows of Your Love" is a 1986 song performed by J.M. Silk featuring Steve "Silk" Hurley.The composition was written by Danny Wilson, Keith Nunnally and Peter Black, and in addition released on the J.M. Silk's only album Hold on to Your Dream, issued in 1987 on RCA Records... " |
J.M. Silk featuring Steve "Silk" Hurley | — | — | 3 | 40 | Hold on to Your Dream |
| "I Can't Turn Around I Can't Turn Around "I Can't Turn Around" is a song written and originally performed by Isaac Hayes as the lead single from his 1975 album Chocolate Chip.In 1986, a house music cover of the song by J.M. Silk reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with lead vocals performed by Keith... " (by Isaac Hayes Isaac Hayes Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the... ) |
J.M. Silk | — | 62 | 1 | 9 | ||
| "Jack Your Body Jack Your Body Jack Your Body is a popular song by Steve 'Silk' Hurley, which was featured on the only J.M. Silk album, Hold on to Your Dream, released in 1987.... " |
Steve "Silk" Hurley | — | 1 | 25 | 37 | ||
| 1987 | "Let the Music Take Control Let the Music Take Control "Let the Music Take Control" is a song by J.M. Silk, that was released as their fifth single, on RCA Records in 1987.The song written by Steve "Silk" Hurley and Keith Nunnally peaked at number two in the US Dance chart in 1987, reaching its top in UK at number forty-seven.-Credits and... " |
J.M. Silk | — | 47 | 2 | 8 | |
| "She's So Far Away She's So Far Away "She's So Far Away" is a song by J.M. Silk, taken from the album Hold on to Your Dream, which was released in 1987 on RCA Records.The single was written by Keith Nunnally, and it peaked in the UK Singles Chart at number eighty... " |
J.M. Silk | — | 80 | — | — | ||
| "Heart of Passion Heart of Passion "Heart of Passion" is a song by J.M. Silk taken from the album Hold on to Your Dream, which was released on RCA Records, in 1987.The composition was written by Keith Nunnally and Steve "Silk" Hurley... " |
J.M. Silk | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Cry of the Lonely Cry of the Lonely "Cry of the Lonely" is a song by J.M. Silk, released as the final single taken from the album Hold on to Your Dream issued on RCA Records, in 1987.... " |
J.M. Silk | — | — | 50 | — | ||
| 1988 | "All in Vain" | J.M. Silk | — | — | — | — | Jack Trax: The Fifth Album |
| "It's Percussion" | Steve "Silk" Hurley featuring M-Doc M-Doc M-Doc is a rap artist and producer who was signed to RCA Records and Smash Records in the 1990s. He scored minor chart success with the singles "Free" and "It's a Summer Thang" featuring Chantay Savage... |
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| 1989 | "Work It Out Work It Out (Steve "Silk" Hurley song) "Work It Out" is the Steve "Silk" Hurley's debut single released on Atlantic Records in 1989.The song was the lead single taken from the producer's compilation album Work It Out Compilation, which featured additional seven tracks recorded in collaboration with such likes as M-Doc, Jamie Principle,... " |
Steve "Silk" Hurley featuring M-Doc M-Doc M-Doc is a rap artist and producer who was signed to RCA Records and Smash Records in the 1990s. He scored minor chart success with the singles "Free" and "It's a Summer Thang" featuring Chantay Savage... |
— | — | 3 | 17 | Work It Out Compilation |
| "Chain of Fools" | Steve "Silk" Hurley featuring Risse | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Cold World Cold World (Steve "Silk" Hurley and Jamie Principle song) "Cold World" is a song recorded by Steve "Silk" Hurley along with Jamie Principle.The single was released as the second single from the Hurley's compilation Work It Out on Atlantic Records in 1989, and it charted at number twenty-two on the U.S... " |
Steve "Silk" Hurley featuring Jamie Principle Jamie Principle Jamie Principle is a house music artist and producer born in Chicago, Illinois.He is one of the early pioneers of house music when the genre first began in Chicago during the early 1980s... |
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| 1991 | |||||||
| style="text-align:left;" |Keith Nunnally
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|1992
| style="text-align:left;" |"Melody"
| style="text-align:left;" |Steve "Silk" Hurley
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|1997
| style="text-align:left;" |"The Word Is Love
Word Is Love
"The Word Is Love " is a 1997 song released by Hurley's & Voices of Life, featuring vocals by Sharon Pass.Apart from others record companies, the single was released on the producer's own label Silk Entertainment in several editions. However, the composition written by Hurley himself along with...
"
| style="text-align:left;" |The Voices of Life featuring Sharon Pass
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|2000
| style="text-align:left;" |"Dubs from the Dungeon Vol.1"
| style="text-align:left;" |Steve "Silk" Hurley
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|2002
| style="text-align:left;" |"Don't Give Up"
| style="text-align:left;" |The Voices of Life featuring Gordon Chambers
Gordon Chambers
Gordon Chambers is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and record producer who has written songs for over 75 recording artists including Angie Stone, Yolanda Adams, The Isley Brothers, Brandy, Trey Songz, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Usher, Marc Anthony, Jamie Foxx, Aretha Franklin,...
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|non-album single
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|rowspan="2"|2003
| style="text-align:left;" |"Stop Playin'"
| style="text-align:left;" |SilkMix.com vs. The 2 Live Crew
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| style="text-align:left;" |"Runnin' Away
Runnin' Away
"Runnin' Away" is a song released by The Voices of Life with lead vocals performed by Sharon Pass, with whom Steve "Silk" Hurley worked also on previous singles "Runnin' Away" is a song released by The Voices of Life with lead vocals performed by Sharon Pass, with whom Steve "Silk" Hurley worked...
"
| style="text-align:left;" |The Voices of Life featuring Sharon Pass
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|colspan="8" style="font-size: 8pt"| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that region.
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Notes:
- A Steve Hurley was credited as one of backing vocalists on the Keith Nunnally's debut solo single. The other names were Sharon Pass, Kym SimsKym SimsKym Sims is an American singer, whose biggest success came outside her home market. Sims began her career as an advertising jingle singer before breaking through into the dance music market.-Career:...
and Manny Mohr20 Fingers20 Fingers is the name of a musical group created by Charlie Babie and Manfred Mohr. They were popular in the early 1990s for producing a series of pop music, dance music and rap music songs.-The first hit:...
.
Music awards & nominations
| Award | Nominations | Wins |
|---|---|---|
ASCAP Awards |
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Grammy Awards |
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ASCAP Award
- ASCAP Writer's Award for "Keep on Walkin'Keep on Walkin' (song)"Keep On Walkin" is a 1992 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, recorded for her debut album release Finally on A&M Records.The song was released as the singer's third single from the album and was her third number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart...
" - ASCAP Writer's Award for "Too Blind to See ItKym SimsKym Sims is an American singer, whose biggest success came outside her home market. Sims began her career as an advertising jingle singer before breaking through into the dance music market.-Career:...
" - ASCAP Writer's Award for "I'm Not Over You"
Grammy Award
| Year | Nominated work(s) | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Grammy Awards of 1999 The 41st Grammy Awards were held on February 24, 1999. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1998. Lauryn Hill was the nights big winner winning a total of 5 awards including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Madonna won three awards while country musicians the Dixie... |
"If You Could Read My Mind (Silk's Uplifting Vocal)" by Stars on 54 Stars on 54 Stars on 54 were a supergroup put together to record the song "If You Could Read My Mind" for the soundtrack of the 1998 film, 54, which starred Mike Myers as Steve Rubell, owner of the Studio 54 nightclub... "If You Could Read My Mind (Silk's House on 54 Mix)" by Stars on 54 Stars on 54 Stars on 54 were a supergroup put together to record the song "If You Could Read My Mind" for the soundtrack of the 1998 film, 54, which starred Mike Myers as Steve Rubell, owner of the Studio 54 nightclub... "Nobody Else (Silk's House Revival) Nobody Else (CeCe Peniston song) "Nobody Else" is a 1998 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.The composition was to be the lead single of the singer's originally scheduled album release on the Silk Entertainment label, as well as reportedly released on Steve Hurley's compillation The Voices of Life, Vol 1. The production of her... " by CeCe Peniston CeCe Peniston CeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S... "Special Love (Silk's Special House Mix) Gaudi (musician) Daniele Gaudi is a musician, composer, record producer. and solo artist. Gaudi's music is a fusion of dub, worldbeat and electronica... " by Jestofunk Jestofunk Jestofunk are an Italian acid jazz musical group, formed in 1992 by DJ MozArt and DJ Blade. They collaborated with American musician CeCe Rogers on their 1997 début album, Love in a Black Dimension, as well as later projects. The album sold 50,000 copies in Italy... feat. Jocelyn Brown Jocelyn Brown Jocelyn Lorette Brown is an American R&B and dance music singer... "Where You Are (Silk's Old Skool Mix)" by Rashaan Patterson "The Word Is Love (Silk's Anthem 7) Word Is Love "The Word Is Love " is a 1997 song released by Hurley's & Voices of Life, featuring vocals by Sharon Pass.Apart from others record companies, the single was released on the producer's own label Silk Entertainment in several editions. However, the composition written by Hurley himself along with... " by The Voices of Life |
Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical | |
| 2000 Grammy Awards of 2000 The 42nd Grammy Awards were held on February 23, 2000. During the show, Santana won 8 Grammys, tying Michael Jackson's record for most awards won in a single night. Santana's album Supernatural was awarded a total of nine awards.... |
"Go Down Moses (Silk's Spiritual Anthem)" by Kelly G feat. Sharon Pass "He Loves Me 2 (Silk's 12" Mix) He Loves Me 2 "He Loves Me 2" is a 1999 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.This single was to be originally included on the singer's album, which was not released... " by CeCe Peniston CeCe Peniston CeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S... "Higher (Silk's Journey to Heaven Mix)" by Vernessa Mitchell Vernessa Mitchell Vernessa Mitchell is an R&B/soul/gospel/house music artist from Pasadena, California. She was the lead singer of the Motown recording act High Inergy before gaining success as gospel artist.-Career:... "Jack Your Body 2000 (Silk's Y2K Mix) Jack Your Body Jack Your Body is a popular song by Steve 'Silk' Hurley, which was featured on the only J.M. Silk album, Hold on to Your Dream, released in 1987.... " by Steve "Silk" Hurley "Rollercoaster (Silk's Uplifting Extended Mix) Rollercoaster (song) "Rollercoaster" is a song by B*Witched, released as the second single from their eponymous album. It reached #1 in the UK singles chart, their second to do so.There are two different video clips for "Rollercoaster" directed by Alison Murray... " by B*Witched "Yeah Get Down (Silk's Disco Dub of Life)" by Maurice Joshua Maurice Joshua Maurice Joshua, also known just as Maurice, born in Chicago, Illinois, is a record producer who is most known for his laid back and soulful House music style remixes.-Career:... presents The Reunion Project |
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| 2002 Grammy Awards of 2002 The 44th Grammy Awards were held on February 27, 2002. The biggest was Alicia Keys, winning 5 Grammys, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for "Fallin'". U2 won 4 awards including Record of the Year and Best Rock Album.-Award winners:... |
"Soul Shakedown (Silk's Downunder Mix)" by Bob Marley Bob Marley Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers... |
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical The Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical is an honor presented to producers for quality remixed recordings at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards... |
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| 2003 Grammy Awards of 2003 The 45th Grammy Awards were held on February 23, 2003. Musicians accomplishments from the previous year were recognized. Norah Jones was the night's big winner winning five awards including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal... |
"What About Us? (SilkMix.Com Mix)" by Brandy |
Other Awards
- Billboard Top Producer of 1994Billboard Music AwardThe Billboard Music Award is an honor given by Billboard magazine, the preeminent publication covering the music business. The Billboard Music Awards show had been held annually in December until it went dormant in 2007, but it returned in May 2011...
(shared with L.A. Babyface, R. KellyR. KellyRobert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
, Teddy Riley and Jam & Lewis) - British Charity Award-UK as Remixer of the Year
- Winter Music ConferenceWinter Music ConferenceThe Winter Music Conference is a weeklong electronic music conference, held every March since the mid-1980s in Miami, Florida, United States. Venues are hosted primarily in Downtown Miami and Miami's South Beach...
as Remixer of the Year
See also
- List of UK number one singles
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
- Steve "Silk" Hurley on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- Steve "Silk" Hurley on BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
- Steve "Silk" Hurley on DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- S&S Chicago Records official website