Juan Atkins

Juan Atkins

Juan Atkins is a musician from Detroit, United States, born in 1962. He is widely credited as an originator of techno and is associated with Detroit techno, electro, electronic and techno.

Early work and Detroit connections

Atkins grows up in Detroit and draws influence from the radio show of Charles “Electrifyin' Mojo” Johnson, whose broadcasts include a wide mix of music such as Kraftwerk, Parliament and Prince. Atkins and Derrick May make mix tracks for Electrifying Mojo before beginning to create original music of their own.

While studying at Washtenaw Community College, Atkins meets Rick Davis. The two record together as Cybotron. Atkins coins the term techno to describe their music, drawing on ideas from futurist writer Alvin Toffler and borrowing the terms “cybotron” and “metroplex” from his work. He also uses techno to refer to earlier synthesizer-heavy acts such as Kraftwerk, although his early Cybotron recordings are often classed as electro.

Solo work and aliases

Atkins begins recording as Model 500 in 1985, with tracks including “No UFO’s”, “Night drive”, “Future” and “Clear”. He continues to produce his own records and those of other musicians under Metroplex Records.

Groups and projects

Atkins is associated with Cybotron, Kreem, X-Ray, Visions and Borderland. He is also an original member of Detroit's Plus 8 Crew, alongside Derrick May and others including members of Underground Resistance.