A Rare DJ Mix from the Late Legend Frankie Knuckles was Just Unearthed for Birthday Celebration

To commemorate what would have been the 71st birthday of the late Frankie Knuckles, Defected Records has released a previously vaulted two-hour DJ set, exclusively on Apple Music. Recorded in 2011, the 26-track mix was originally intended for a major multi-format compilation titled ‘Frankie Knuckles In The House’. However, the "Godfather of House" requested the project be shelved at the time, as his declining health made it impossible for him to promote the release with his usual vigor. Now, on January 16, 2026, the mix has finally seen the light of day in partnership with the Frankie Knuckles Foundation, offering fans a pristine snapshot of his late-career "Director’s Cut" sound.

The mix features seminal tracks and remixes, including the iconic ‘The Whistle Song (Re-Directed)’ and his soul-stirring reimagining of Candi Staton’s ‘Hallelujah Anyway’. Beyond the digital release, Defected has also announced a high-demand vinyl repress of its ‘House Masters: Frankie Knuckles’ compilation, with a portion of all proceeds directly supporting select causes. Frederick Dunson, President of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation, described the set as a "quintessential" example of the DJ’s ability to marry spiritual, soulful vocals with driving electronic precision—a style that defined his legacy until his passing in 2014.

The Architectural Legacy of Frankie Knuckles in Electronic Music

While the 2011 mix showcases Knuckles at his polished peak, his journey began in the gritty, creative cauldron of 1970s New York City. Alongside his lifelong friend and collaborator Larry Levan, Knuckles learned the art of the "musical journey" at venues like the Continental Baths. However, it was his 1977 move to Chicago to become the resident DJ at The Warehouse that fundamentally changed the course of music history. It was here, in a three-story industrial factory, that Knuckles’ unique blend of underground disco, European synth-pop, and rare soul became so synonymous with the venue that fans began asking record stores for "Warehouse music"—eventually shortened to simply "House."

By the early 1980s, Knuckles began using a Roland TR-909 drum machine to overlay bare, insistent pulses onto his records, effectively birthing the blueprint for modern electronic dance music. Even after his 1997 Grammy win and his 2014 passing due to complications from Type II diabetes, his influence remains a cornerstone of dance culture. This newly released 2011 mix serves as a vital bridge between his origins at The Warehouse and the sophisticated "Director’s Cut" era of his final years, ensuring that the Godfather’s message of "love and togetherness" continues to resonate on dancefloors well into 2026.