Robert Armani

Born on Chicago's south side in 1970, Robert Armani stood out among the city's peak-era producers for his brutally hard acid techno sound. Most artists in his cohort started spinning records at parties by age 14, and he followed the same path before stepping behind the console to produce at 18. He further built his name by hosting his own house parties that resonated across the local scene. Plans to abandon music and DJ work for the police academy were upended by a journey to Italy that reshaped his outlook. From there he issued numerous singles through Chicago's Dancemania, Holland's Djax-Up Beats—home to two of his most popular tracks, "Circus Bells" and "Armani Tracks"—along with multiple releases on Italy's ACV imprint.