The electronic music world has heroes from the past spring up time and time again to reclaim their roles amongst the pantheon of legends that opened the floodgates to many fans and producers alike; and while we all know Detroit legends like Juan Atkins, Theo Parrish and Carl Craig, there are still some who prefer to be reclusive and stand behind their tracks instead of in front of them. One legend of that magnitude is Anthony Shakir, better known as “Shake” by many. Shakir started to work on electronic back in Detroit, his hometown, at Metroplex, the famed label of Juan Atkins. While he may say he was the janitor at that joint, he engineered some techno classics, which led to him wanting to make tunes. He did, quietly releasing 12-inches, but stayed reclusive all throughout the time of his releases. “Shake” makes it known to others that his music tastes are unbiased, that he will play anything that can make a dancefloor feel funky. Judging by the amount of people who consider him an influence internationally, it wouldn’t be hard to see how the world has accepted Shakir’s unusual takes on Detroit techno and has energized that same production into their tunes. With his compilation and retrospective Frictionalism: 1994-2009 coming out to the praises of the music world, it’s not hard to like Shakir’s audible vision of Detroit sounds and shapes. Inspiring the artists of past, present and future, “Shake” took some time to talk to us before his upcoming set at Unsound Festival NY, along with giving us an exclusive track to give to the masses.

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