Todd Terry

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Todd Terry (Todd Norton Terry), born April 18, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American DJ, record producer, and remixer known for helping shape the New York house scene in the 1990s. He works in house music and is famous for using samples that blend classic disco, Chicago house, and hip-hop.

Early in his career, Terry DJed at parties in New York, starting with Italo disco and hip-hop before focusing on house music. He released music under several names, including the Todd Terry Project, Royal House, Black Riot, Swan Lake, and Orange Lemon, among others. His work played a key role in moving house beyond its Chicago roots and into a more energetic, commercially accessible sound.

Notable achievements include two influential early remixes: “I’ll House You” by the Jungle Brothers (1988) and a re-release of “Missing” by Everything but the Girl (1995). His tracks were important in the UK acid house scene, with “Can You Party” (as Royal House) reaching No. 14 in the UK charts in 1988. In the 1990s, he scored UK top-ten hits with “Something Goin’ On” and “Keep on Jumpin’,” both featuring vocals by Jocelyn Brown and Martha Wash.

Terry also produced hit collaborations and remixes across the decade. Shannon was the featured vocalist on the UK top-20 hit “It’s Over Love” (1997), which also charted in the US. The album Ready for a New Day (1997) included these tracks. He remixed Michael Jackson’s “Stranger in Moscow” in 1996 and released the drum & bass-inspired Resolutions in 1999. His work extends into albums like One Half of a Whole Decade and Live & Remastered.

Over the years, Terry has used many aliases, including Hard House, Swan Lake, Orange Lemon, Royal House, and Black Riot. The Gypsymen (another of his projects) scored a number-one Billboard Dance/Club Play hit in 1992 with “Hear the Music.” He also co-produced P.M. Dawn’s “Shake” and produced “The House of Isis” from Isis’ Rebel Soul (1990).

In 2004, the Todd Terry Project’s “Weekend” appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. In 2007, Terry formed the Todd Terry All Stars with Kenny Dope, DJ Sneak, and Terry Hunter, releasing “Get Down” (featuring Tara McDonald) and “Play On.” InHouse Records, launched in 1999, became a vehicle for releasing Terry’s music directly to fans, building a catalog of more than 500 tracks. SoundDesign Records followed in 2000, focusing on harder tracks and new artists. In 2013, he released Todd Terry vs. That Trap Shitt on Tommy Boy Entertainment.