Terry Hunter: Repping for His City

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

For more than 40 years, Chicago DJ and producer, Terry Hunter travels the world, representing Chicago and sharing his passion for house music. A member of the popular collective, The Chosen Few DJs, Terry Hunter plays house music to huge crowds throughout Chicago and at some of the world’s largest music festivals. As a producer, he’s worked with top artists in the industry including Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan and more. He frequently taps into Chicago talent working with Chicago artists, Terisa Griffin, Chantay Savage, Byron Stingily and J. Ivy. On Nov. 15, 2023, Terry Hunter received his second Grammy Nomination for Best Remix Recording for Beyonce’s “Break My Soul.” Hunter was previously nominated in 2014 for his work as a remixer on Jennifer Hudson’s hit song, “It’s Your World.”

Terry received the call to work on the project from Jennifer Hudson’s former manager. He said he started working on the remix immediately. “I got the stems and one of my main musicians, George Pettis and I started working on it and got it finished quickly. We sent it over to them and they loved it. Hunter says he was given creative control over the remix and was inspired by Beyonce’s voice and artistry on the original song. “She’s a damn good singer. Her harmonies and runs inspired me. When I’m listening to a record I start with the drums, then I lay the keys down, then chords and a baseline. I build from there. It’s a layer on top of a layer. [Chosen Few DJ] Alan King told me that as a DJ, you don’t pick records, the records pick you. It’s the same when making music. You pick up the sounds, patterns, melodies and cadence. Listening to Beyonce’s voice it was just flawless, well written and well performed.”

Hunter says learning of his nomination was a complete surprise. “I was in my studio watching the nominations online and talking with [Chosen Few DJ] Wayne Williams when they announced the nominations for best remix recording. When they said my name, Wayne and I said, “Wait…What did they say?.” We had to rewind it and play it again to see if we heard correctly. Next thing you know my phone blew up with calls and text messages from everyone. It was crazy and surreal.” It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

N. Western Ave.

The hit song, “Break My Soul” is a single on Beyonce’s Renaissance album. The project was critically acclaimed and received nine Grammy nominations. Beyonce has received 88 grammy nominations over the course of her career tying her with her husband, Jay-Z for the most

Grammy nominations in history. Inspired by her “Uncle Johnny” and conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, Renaissance blends disco, house, and dance music. Hunter says receiving the call to create a remix for the project is a reflection of Beyonce’s respect and admiration for the genre. “She could have gone to anyone to work on this project but reached back to Chicago, the birthplace of house music. She also had another Chicago native, DJ Honey Dijon, work on the remix package. I have so much respect for her because of that,” Hunter says. House music is a genre of music created in Chicago that changed the dance music scene around the world. With legendary artists like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy. They packed local dance clubs in the 70s and 80s. The term house music was coined by Frankie Knuckles during his time at the legendary Chicago Club, the “Warehouse.” Pioneered by Black DJs in Chicago, they altered disco, funk, and soul records using a repetitive “four on the floor” beat. Hunter says his grammy nomination is more than a win for him but a win for house music and a win for the city that birthed the genre. “Honestly, I feel like we already won. This nomination is for my mom, my grandmother, and my aunt. They believed in me and gave me the push to do music and be the best that I can be in my craft. This is such a monumental moment for our city and for house music. Many people don’t know the real history. Chicago created this. This is where it all started. I wave my Chicago flag and represent Chicago everywhere I go and in everything I do. This is a win for house music and artists like Beyonce, they opened the eyes and ears of people who probably never heard of house music. She’s the biggest artist in the world and choose a Chicago DJ and producer to put that authentic Chicago house sound on a re- cord. It broadens our horizons and places house music at the forefront. That’s not just huge for me, that’s huge for house music and for the City of Chicago.”

This is Terry Hunter’s second Grammy nomination. In 2015, he was nominated for Jennifer Hudson’s “It’s Your World.” The song ironically lost to Beyonce, who won that year for her song, “Drunk In Love.” Hunter says being nominated is more than an honor for him considering how many songs are submitted for consideration. “Thousands of songs are submitted for consideration. I know people say it all the time, but it really is true, to be nominated is such an honor. When you think how many songs are submitted and out of all of them, having one of mine nominated is just incredible.”

Hunter has been a lifelong resident of Chicago and while he thought about relocating at one point in his life, he says Chicago is home and shapes his artistry. “It’s something about Chicago that I can’t explain. It’s like house music. You just know it and feel it. It’s the good, bad, and the ugly. I’m a product of this city and I’m unapologetic about it. If I would have moved 20 years ago, would my life be different? I don’t know. What I know now is that in my 50s, I feel like I’m in my prime and just getting started. I pay respect to those who came before me and that’s important. Young people have to understand that. I wouldn’t know where I was going if I didn’t learn from them. “

He says, Chicago has a sound all on its own and that many forget the incredible influences that come from this city. “Chicago is in the middle of everything. We are representative of everything around us that’s what makes music so special. That’s what makes Chicago musicians, artists, and creatives so incredible. From R&B, Hip-Hop, House, Gospel…you name it…we represent it on the highest levels. Terry recently released the single “T.S.O.C” (The Sound of Chicago) with Chicago artists, Common, Chantay Savage, Chosen Few DJ Mike Dunn, Deon Cole, Coldhard from Crucial Conflict, AM7, Jamie Principle.

Hunter says he hopes young people including his own two son’s draw inspiration from his journey, especially those who want to pursue a career in music production or the art of DJing. “You cannot go into the future without knowing your past. You must learn your craft. You have to put in the work, study, and practice every day. If I’m not touching a record or DJing, I’m listening to music or talking about music. I work with music every day of my life. The passion must be there otherwise it’s just a hobby and you should get out of the way to make room for those who take it seriously and really want to do this.”

Hunter says his second nomination is much different than the first time. “When I was nominated before it was about the artist. I was the producer on the project. I just got “suited and booted” and showed up. It’s different this time. I’m the artist. That’s what makes this nomination so special. I’m looking forward to going down there with my family, friends, and my team. I hope it inspires us all to go even harder. I hope it inspires my two sons. I want them to take this experience and move forward in pursuit of their dreams. I’m just really excited to get to LA and ready for us to keep going and go even harder. I can’t wait. The sky’s the limit and I feel like I’m soaring right now and I’m bringing the entire city with me.”