Marcus Watkins

Detroit, MI USA

Marcus Watkins runs and coordinates Detroit based web-label Random Access Recordings. Marcus was born and raised on the southside of Chicago and started DJing at the early tender age of 13. From small scale events to large outdoor festivals, Marcus has gotten his fair share of notoriety throughout North America and Europe. This includes international tours in Canada, England, Scottland, and an appearance at the Ibiza World Wide Tour-Greece.

Marcus became interested in house and techno, mainly because of his cousins the late Armando Gallop and Frank"Lust"Johnson. They taught him the history of house music and made him well aware of some struggles they had experienced early on, which has helped him to understand and appreciate the evolution of the music. One of the things that concerns Marcus the most is how people don't take the time to get to understand and appreciate the history of music. Marcus believes, "a person can't know where they are going, if they don't know where they came from." If some people only knew how hard it was for those promoters, DJs, and producers back in the day. They have paved the way and now that things are so commercial, it is much easier get fame and fortune because the music is accepted internationally. People in the scene today should tip thier hats to those who have got us to where we are today. Today's generation must continue to strive to take it even further.

Marcus has a burning passion for his art form and you can definitely see it and feel it when he spins. Marcus's sound usual range from minimal techno to soulful house, depending on the mood. Growing up in Chicago definitely has had its perks; Marcus has had some great mentors, teachers, & friends including: Armando Gallop, Sergio DaSilva, Traxx, Mike Dunn, Stacy Kidd, Paul Johnson, Glenn Underground, Brian Harden, John "BID" Simmons, Justin Long, OSCAR, DJ JES, JES ONE, Melvin Meeks, DJ Chip, Derrick Carter, Greg Norwood, Marshall Jefferson, Lush, Daryl Cura, Craig Alexander, Adonis, Sativa, Lady D., Brain G., BJAK, Jevon Jackson,Steve "Silk" Hurley, Farly "Jackmaster" Funk, Glenn Underground, Boo Williams, Mazi, Frankie Vega, and many more. After graduateing with his BA in broadcast journalism from Columbia College Chicago, Marcus moved to the greater Detroit area where his wife is from.

Always forward thinking, Marcus now concentrates more on music production and digital music distribution. With the internet being so eidely used world wide, it has opended up endless possiblities fro producers and DJs alike. Marcus still makes occasional DJ appearances but not on a weekly basis anymore because now he has a family and dedicates most of his time being a father and a husband. Random Access Recordings is a great way for Marcus to continue to do his part in expressing and preserving the integrity and quality of electronic dance music. Marcus would like to thank those that have supported him in the past and continue to support him now. May God Bless us all!!!