DJ Spinn

DJ Spinn

DJ Spinn is Chicago DJ and producer Morris Harper, associated with footwork, juke and ghetto house. He begins as a teenager in Chicago’s dance and club scene, starting to write, DJ, dance and produce at an early age.

Early career in Chicago

In 1997, he performs with the Chicago dance group House-O-Matics and builds a reputation as a DJ through party and event bookings across the city and nearby areas, including teen parties, roller rinks, school events and house parties. By the following year, he has developed a local following for the house tracks he makes with DJ Rashad.

Recordings and Dance Mania

In 1998, Spinn releases his track “Bout It Bout It Mix” on vinyl through Dance Mania Records, appearing on a DJ Thadz album. He also co-produces “Kick That Shit Off” on the same release. Around the same period, he appears on the Chicago mix release Bang Bang Bang, Skeet Skeet Skeet with “Muthafuka,” described as a remake of a Paul Johnson track, while DJ Rashad appears on the project with “Child Abuse.”

Footwork and the Chicago scene

As Chicago house develops into juke music around 2000, DJ Spinn is named among the artists associated with the emerging footwork and juke movement, alongside DJ Rashad, DJ Clent, Gant-Man and DJ Nephets. His work is linked to the evolution of Chicago’s dance music from older house forms into the faster, more rhythmic style that becomes known as juke and footwork.