Rhythim Is Rhythim: The Pioneering Detroit Techno Alias

Rhythim Is Rhythim is the seminal and enigmatic recording alias of Detroit techno innovator Derrick May. Originating from the birthplace of techno itself, this project is celebrated for producing some of the genre's most influential and timeless tracks, which achieved significant underground and critical acclaim across Europe and America.

Early career

Derrick May, alongside Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson, formed the foundational Belleville Three in the early 1980s. Under the Rhythim Is Rhythim moniker, May began releasing music in 1987 on his own Transmat label, as well as on the UK's influential R&S Records. These early 12" singles immediately defined a new, sophisticated sound within the electronic landscape.

Breakthrough

The project's breakthrough came swiftly with the 1987 release of the seminal track Strings of Life. While not a mainstream chart hit, the song became an instant anthem in Chicago house and UK acid house clubs, propelling Detroit techno to global recognition. Its enduring power is evidenced by its perennial inclusion in "greatest dance records of all time" lists and its certification as a cultural landmark.

Key tracks

Strings of Life — This 1987 masterpiece is arguably the most iconic Detroit techno track ever made, renowned for its euphoric piano riff and orchestral energy.

Nude Photo — An earlier 1987 release that laid the blueprint with its complex, skipping rhythms and synthetic textures, defining the "techno" sound.

Kaos — This 1989 track exemplifies May's jazz-influenced, atmospheric style, showcasing a deeper, more cerebral side of the Rhythim Is Rhythim catalog.

The Beginning — From the 1991 compilation 'The Beginning', this track further refined the alias's signature fusion of orchestral drama and rhythmic precision.

Though the alias was primarily used for a series of legendary 12" singles, the 1991 compilation 'The Beginning' on R&S Records collected these essential works. Derrick May's focus remained on DJing and running Transmat, making Rhythim Is Rhythim releases sporadic but profoundly impactful, cementing its legendary status without a traditional album campaign.

Fans of the intricate, soulful, and rhythmically advanced Detroit techno of Rhythim Is Rhythim should also explore the works of similar pioneers. Listen to Juan Atkins for the foundational electro-funk origins of the genre. The melodic depth of Kevin Saunderson defined inner-city techno soul. For a later evolution of the Detroit sound, explore Carl Craig, whose work carries forward May's musical complexity.

The music of Rhythim Is Rhythim maintains constant rotation on dedicated electronic music radio stations, particularly those specializing in classic dance music, techno history, and underground FM broadcasts. Its tracks are staples on shows focusing on the roots of modern electronic dance music.

You can hear the pioneering Detroit techno of Rhythim Is Rhythim on the curated radio stations featured here on onairium.com, where his timeless tracks continue to inspire new generations of electronic music listeners.