That Kid Chris (Chris Staropoli) has widely been cited as America’s answer to
Joey Negro. Certainly, he is at least as prolific, having released dozens of disco -
influenced house singles in the early 90s including 'Feel the Vibe' (Digital
Dungeon Records), 'Power Of The Darkside' (Strictly Rhythm Records) and 'Get
Down With The Genie' (Floorwax Records).
Straropoli began his career in the hip -
hop dominated music scene of Queens, New York, where he began work as a DJ
playing electro jams. His earliest influence was Jellybean's sets at The Funhouse.
Straropoli became a rap DJ proper at the Limelight club before switching to hard
house on the east coast rave scene. However, his recorded output relies
continually on samples of 70s disco and soul culled from his father’s record
collection.
He made his breakthrough with the release of 'Big Time', a track
heavily influenced by Al Pacino's performance in the movie Carlito's Way. That
and subsequent 12 inches saw him find a sympathetic audience in the UK where
he was widely celebrated alongside Josh Wink as the 'new face' of melodic
American dance music in the mid - 90s .
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