True House Stories® Youtube & Spotify Video Podcast
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TYREE COOPER
Tyree Cooper interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 034
Part 1
Tyree Cooper the awesome super dupa producer, grew up in Chicago, starting out as a top Basketball Player but left to focus on music producing and Djing. Tyree began working with Mike Dunn but after a disagreement they initially parted ways but reunited at an event called Earthquake for freestyle battles which attracted over 500 people to the shows, packing out the club and the overspill of revelers took to partying on the streets outside.
In the years of 1984 till 1986 these were Tyree’s most prominent production years. Chicago House music was his vibe and Tyree became a legend on the drum machine Roland TR-808. Tyree was turning out 4 tracks per night whilst continuing to work during the day, he worked 12 hours per night in the studio. Tyree was signed to DJ International Records and they would pay him $50 per drum beats and was even told by Larry Sherman of Trax Records that his music sucked!
All of the tracks he produced were credited to Rocky Jones and all of his tracks according to management were not selling. Little did Tyree know that he had produced some huge hits but was never truly informed. Luckily for Tyree his hit record contracts were just 2 years long so to this day, he actually owns most of his music.
Part 2
Listen to Tyree in part 2 explain how he worked with DJ / Producer Fast Eddie and how his drum beats were on every Dj International Record coming out, yet he was never credited for his superb drum programming. It was actually Joe Smith from Movin Records who told Tyree that his music was blowing up.
Later on in his career, Tyree played the drum machine on Joe Smooth’s hit ‘Promised Land’ and so many other records to name. Tyree take a job at Quantum Distribution, despite being paid a meer $3.50/an hour it became his way to learn all about the record business. It was Liddell Townsell who taught Tyree how to use a drum machine and Victor Romeo who had such a positive part to play in Tyree’s budding career.
Tyree Cooper YouTube Video Part 1
Tyree Cooper YouTube Video Part 2
Tyree Cooper YouTube Video Part 3
Biography Tyree Cooper
Tyree Cooper is part of the first Global House music revolution that started in Chicago. His contribution to House Music & Acid House is unmatched and led him to co-create Hip House alongside The DJ Fast Eddie, widening the appeal of House music worldwide. Growing up on the streets of Chicago’s South Side, listening to Farley Jackmaster Funk and The Hot Mix 5, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles and his mother’s and uncles’ music collection, Tyree was well schooled in music at an early age. As a freshman he joined the Simeon H.S Concert and Marching Band.
Two years after college Tyree was already one of the most popular and highly sought-after DJs in Chicago. He was then approached by Vince Lawrence of the House band Jesse’s Gang (founded by Jesse Saunders) who persuaded Tyree to put together a demo tape of his music to start a career as a recording artist. From now on, it was only a question of time before signing the first record deal with the Chicago based underground label D.J. International Records.
The first 12′′ single – I Fear The Night (with female vocalist Chic) promptly became an underground classic in Chicago. Other hits followed, Video Crash and Acid Crash (1987) – Acid Over (1988) – Turn Up The Bass (1988/89) – Let’s Get Hyped (feat. Kool Rock Steady, 1989) – Let the Music Take Control (1989) and Hardcore Hip House (1989). In 2013, Tyree Cooper founded his own label: Chicago Vinyl Records with distribution from Juno Records UK. He has continued to release tracks and classic hits from DJ International and Dance Mania record labels.
He has also pursued his passion for DJing and has travelled throughout the globe to play at events such as Glastonbury Festival UK, Amsterdam Dance Event, DJoon Paris, Babel Sao Paulo Brazil, Mona Club Paris, Rhonda International San Francisco and Summer Dance Chicago. He was also hosting a monthly night with Bobby Starrr at the famous Tresor club in Berlin, called E-Man-Ci-Pate. Tyree played ClockStock 2023, Chelmsford, UK in July 2023 and is also available for bookings at events and festivals in the future.