Biography
Roy Davis, Jr. joined the Chicago house production outfit Phuture to fill the vacancy left by DJ Pierre. He subsequently trailed his mentor to New York, where he handled duties at Strictly Rhythm while issuing his own material on Force Inc., Big Big Trax, and Power Music. Though born in California, Davis relocated to the city’s south side during childhood. Exposure to acid-house trailblazers such as Phuture and Lil’ Louis prompted him to take up DJing and begin releasing tracks, starting with the 1991 single “20 Below” on Jack Trax.
In the late ’80s, DJ Pierre started working with New York imprints including Jive and Strictly Rhythm and chose to depart both Chicago and Phuture. Davis spent a year in New York performing A&R and production tasks for Strictly Rhythm, then returned to Chicago to assume DJ Pierre’s former role. His first contributions appeared on the 1992–93 Phuture releases “Rise from Your Grave” and “Inside Out,” both issued by Strictly Rhythm. With Phuture on hiatus in 1994, Davis resumed solo work, delivering People from Mars via Power Music and additional cuts for Large and Big Big Trax. The Big Big Trax Compilation appeared in 1996, followed by Roy Davis, Jr. & DJ Mix in 1998. A brief Phuture reunion under the name Phuture 303 yielded the 1998 album Alpha & Omega, after which Davis exited the group once more. Soul Electrica arrived on Peacefrog in 1999.
In the late ’80s, DJ Pierre started working with New York imprints including Jive and Strictly Rhythm and chose to depart both Chicago and Phuture. Davis spent a year in New York performing A&R and production tasks for Strictly Rhythm, then returned to Chicago to assume DJ Pierre’s former role. His first contributions appeared on the 1992–93 Phuture releases “Rise from Your Grave” and “Inside Out,” both issued by Strictly Rhythm. With Phuture on hiatus in 1994, Davis resumed solo work, delivering People from Mars via Power Music and additional cuts for Large and Big Big Trax. The Big Big Trax Compilation appeared in 1996, followed by Roy Davis, Jr. & DJ Mix in 1998. A brief Phuture reunion under the name Phuture 303 yielded the 1998 album Alpha & Omega, after which Davis exited the group once more. Soul Electrica arrived on Peacefrog in 1999.
Singles
