Chus L. Esteban, known professionally as DJ CHUS, was born in Madrid in 1971. His journey into the music industry began in the late 80s, a period marked by the vibrant creativity of the Acid-House movement. Chus found his place at Club Alien in Fuenlabrada, a province of Madrid. In 1992, he took on the role of resident DJ at the iconic Club Kadoc in the Portuguese Algarve, a significant step in his career. There, he shared the stage with leading international electronic music artists, including Carl Cox, Deep Dish, Green Velvet, David Morales, Roger Sanchez, and Eric Morillo. This was the beginning of his illustrious career.
Chus’s musical journey was heavily influenced by the underground sounds of Portugal and America. This exposure led him to develop within House Music and create a style uniquely his own, with a distinct identity. House is the foundation of everything Chus does, but he blends it with elements of Soul, Disco, Afro, Latin, and other world music genres. This fusion of influences is what sets his music apart and makes it so captivating.
During his early years as a DJ, Chus recognized that music production was key to achieving global recognition. He learned and collaborated with some of the best in the industry. His productions saw international success, particularly his collaboration with David Penn. Together, they released music on one of the top House labels of the time, Defected Records, where they published the masterpiece “DJ Chus & The Groove Foundation – That Feeling,” a huge hit that sold over 250,000 vinyl copies.
Chus is credited with creating the ‘Ibérican Sound,’ a unique blend of underground House music shaped by the cultural influences of Portugal and his exposure to North American artists. His collaboration with Ceballos around the turn of the millennium marked the formation of a duo that sparked a global movement lasting two decades. Characterized by a mix of underground House with a distinctive Tribal essence and rich melodies, Chus’s music has always been grounded in percussion and drum rhythms, creating an unforgettable groove and dance experience.
In 2020, amidst the global pandemic, Chus and Ceballos parted ways, and Chus refocused on his solo career. This marked a turning point in his musical journey. He reignited his prolific music production, releasing new tracks and remixes on important labels, including his own. His recent work has explored genres like Indie Dance and Afro House, with several of his tracks reaching number one on the charts. This resurgence has allowed Chus to fully reclaim his character and essence as a House DJ. It was also in 2020 that Chus founded Redolent Music with La Santa, a DJ and producer from Madrid. Redolent is a new label with the goal of expanding the sound spectrum and embracing emerging musical trends. The label seeks to nurture new talent while navigating the evolving music industry landscape.
Chus’s magnetic charisma, unique connection with his audiences, and unwavering commitment to musical excellence have firmly established him as one of the most respected DJs in the industry. With a career spanning over 30 years, Chus has earned numerous accolades, including ‘DJ of the Year,’ ‘Best House DJ,’ ‘Best Remixer,’ ‘Best Producer,’ and ‘Best House Label.’ His extensive discography includes releases on prestigious labels such as Defected, Nervous, Strictly Rhythm, Saved, Moon Harbour, Sol Selectas, Madoras, MoBlack, and his own Stereo Productions and Redolent Music.
