# Chip E.

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**Irwin Larry Eberhart II**, better known by his stage name **Chip E.** (born 1966), is an [American](/source/Americans) [DJ](/source/Disc_jockey) and record producer. He is one of the early artists of the then-burgeoning [house music](/source/House_music) movement that began in 1980s [Chicago](/source/Chicago).

## Life and career

Born in [Chicago](/source/Chicago), Chip E. attended [St. Ignatius College Prep](/source/St._Ignatius_College_Prep), [Kenwood Academy](/source/Kenwood_Academy), [Columbia College Chicago](/source/Columbia_College_Chicago) and [DePaul University](/source/DePaul_University). He started spinning records in 1982 and by 1984 he was producing records. In November 1986 *Street Mix* magazine called Chip E. the "Godfather of [House Music](/source/House_Music)." on the cover of issue #1. In 1987, he became the first Chicago artist to be in regular rotation on all three major Chicago [radio stations](/source/Radio_station) ([WBMX](/source/WVAZ), [WGCI-FM](/source/WGCI-FM) and [B96](/source/WBBM-FM)).[4] Former B96 programming manager Joe Bohannon of [Eddie & JoBo](/source/Eddie_%26_JoBo) made the decision to add "If You Only Knew" to regular rotation and with that began the transition of the station from CHR (contemporary hit radio) to a [dance music](/source/Dance_music) station.

Chip E's first recording *Jack Trax* was an extended play record that featured "Time to Jack" as well as "It's House". These songs are considered by many as the first original House records, and the first to use the terms "Jack" and "House" as they relate to the genre. Specifically, "It's House" does not contain any drum patterns, music or sampling used in any prior work in any genre of music. The infamous "Bang Bang Bang, Skeet Skeet Skeet" percussion rhythm in "It's House" went on to become a staple in the genres of "[Ghetto House](/source/Ghetto_House)" and "[Footwork](/source/Footwork_(genre))".

Chip E. assisted [Frankie Knuckles](/source/Frankie_Knuckles) when he co-produced Frankie's first record *You Can't Hide*. Other artists Chip jump-started into the music world were [Lidell Townsell](/source/Lidell_Townsell), Kevin Irving, and [Harri Dennis](/source/Harri_Dennis) of The It. By the age of 21 Chip E. was a worldwide name. Because of difficulties getting out of a contract with [DJ International Records](/source/DJ_International_Records), Chip decided that he would rather not record if he had to do it for D.J. International. His first release *Jack Trax* is one of the most coveted early house music releases, fetching upwards of $1500.00 (USD) on [eBay](/source/EBay).

## Going Underground

Around 1995 Chip E. stopped recording music but could be found doing the rare DJ gig in [Britain](/source/United_Kingdom) or [Italy](/source/Italy); he had moved into "the realms of mythology."[5] However, while Chip E. wasn't seen much in the music scene, he had resurfaced as a film and DVD guru. Besides work with artists such as [Michael McDonald](/source/Michael_McDonald_(singer)), [Fleetwood Mac](/source/Fleetwood_Mac), [Prince](/source/Prince_(musician)), [The Dead](/source/Grateful_Dead), and [The Black Eyed Peas](/source/The_Black_Eyed_Peas), Chip E. also produced a feature-length documentary on the subject of house music. The documentary is entitled *The UnUsual Suspects - Once Upon a Time in House Music*.[6] was released in the summer of 2005.

## Back to Jack

In 2017 Chip E. connected with [Carl Cox](/source/Carl_Cox) and the two started working on new music. Carl mentioned in the film *2017* that Chip's record "Time to Jack" was the first House/Techno record. Since their connection, Chip has released "Like This" (a remake of his '80s classic) with the group SLAM on Soma Records, "Time 2 Jack" with Carl Cox on Intec Digital, and collaborations with [Gettoblaster](/source/Gettoblaster) and Saladin on We Jack and Phunk Junk Records.

Chip E. DJ'd at the 20th Anniversary of the [Ultra Music Festival](/source/Ultra_Music_Festival), and the following night joined Carl Cox on stage to premier their collaboration "Time 2 Jack" in March 2018. Since then Chip has been playing festivals around the world including Thailand and Cuba.

## See also

- [List of house music artists](/source/List_of_house_music_artists)

## References

1. ["Label Page"](http://www.sightsnsoundsinc.com/chipe). Sights & Sounds. Retrieved 2017-02-25.

1. ["Official Site "Visit my Label""](https://www.iamchipe.com/). Sights & Sounds. Retrieved 2017-02-25.

1. ["Nikki Phoenix Teams With 'Godfather of House'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131359/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=200818). XBIZ. Archived from [the original](http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=200818) on February 26, 2017. Retrieved 2015-11-02.

1. ["House Symposium Biographies"](http://www.colum.edu/dance-center/performances/2013-14/b-real/house-symposium-biographies.php). Columbia College Chigcago. Retrieved 2014-02-17.

1. Bidder, Sean (1999). *House: The Rough Guide*. London: Rough Guides. ISBN 1-85828-432-5.

1. ["The UnUsual Suspects: Once Upon a Time in House Music"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0763329/). IMDb. Retrieved 2005-08-28.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.iamchipe.com/)
- [Chip Eberhart](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2144086/) at IMDb
- [If You Only Knew (Chip E.)](http://www.gridface.com/features/chip_e.html) Interview - Gridface webzine
- [SPIN's 1986 Feature on Chicago's Club Scene](https://www.spin.com/2014/04/burning-down-the-house-chicago-club-80s/) Interview - Spin Magazine
- [House Music Legend Chip E. Lights Up Chicago November 18](https://5chicago.com/features/chip-e-documentary-acid-house/) Interview - 5 Magazine
- [Chip E. - Discography '85-89](https://house-of-chicago.de/chip-e-the-early-years/) house-of-chicago.de

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chip E.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_E.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_E.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.