DJ Sun

{{Infobox musical artist | name = DJ Sun | image = DJSUNPress2016C.jpg | caption = | image_size = 250 | birth_name = Andre J. E. Sam-Sin | birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|1966|01|19}} --> | birth_place = Rotterdam, Netherlands | origin = Houston, Texas | instrument = Akai MPC 1000, Akai MPC 2000, Technics Turntables, Rhodes Piano, Wurlitzer Piano, Korg Trinity, Micro Korg, Farfisa | genre = Electronic, downtempo, Electronica | occupation = Music Producer/ DJ | years_active = 1993 - present | label = Alternate Take Records, Soular Productions, Freerads | associated_acts = DJ Sun & Resolution, Martin Perna, Tim Ruiz (La Mafia), Leah Alvarez, Karina Nistal, Quincy Banks, DJ Sabo, DJ E's E, J Boogie, Free Radicals, Khruangbin | website = http://www.djsunmusic.com/ }}

'''Andre J. E. Sam-Sin''' (born January 19, 1966),<ref>{{cite web |title=DJ SUN:100 |url=http://laurenignited.com/2013/01/10/dj-sun-100/ |work=Lauren Ingnited |publisher=Lauren Ignited |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123002319/http://laurenignited.com/2013/01/10/dj-sun-100/ |archivedate=2013-01-23 }}</ref> known professionally as '''DJ SUN''', is a Dutch-born American record producer and DJ. He is one of the most prolific musicians in Houston, having secured his position as the top-ranked DJ and as the owner/operator of the popular live music venue [http://www.theflathouston.com/ The Flat].<ref>{{cite web|last=Alberto|first=Valerie|title=2007 Houston Press Music Awards Showcase|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-07-26/music/2007-houston-press-music-awards-showcase/full/|work=The Houston Press|publisher=Voice Media Group|accessdate=26 July 2007}}</ref>

==Early life==

DJ Sun was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, his mother a native New Yorker, with roots in Aruba and St. Maarten, and his father from Suriname. As a child, Sun and his family settled in Suriname until his early teens, following which they relocated to Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p467276/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: DJ Sun|last=Rowland|first=Hobart|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=5 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lipczyk|first=Jacob|title=DJ Sun- One Hundred|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2013/03/04/dj-sun-one-hundred/|work=The Aquarian Weekly|publisher=Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas|accessdate=4 March 2013}}</ref>

His exposure to diversity of culture in childhood became the foundation for his music, which as a mixed-race teenager in Texas became indelibly important for his sense of identity and creativity.

Sun graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in accounting.<ref>[https://www.papercitymag.com/events/dj-suns-loveletter-orchestra-live-at-moores-opera-house/ DJ Sun’s Loveletter Orchestra – LIVE at Moores Opera House]. ''Paper City'', 23 Jul 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-24.</ref>

==Music career== DJ Sun's professional music career started at age 26, in Houston, Texas,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/1997-08-21/music/here-comes-the-sun/|title=Here Comes The Sun|last=Rowland|first=Hobart|date=|publisher=Voice Media Group|work=The Houston Press}}</ref> and became successful rather quickly, lending to him the designation of ''Houston Press'' DJ of The Year seven times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-07-26/music/2007-houston-press-music-awards-showcase/full/|title=2007 Houston Press Music Awards Showcase|last=Alberto|first=Valerie|publisher=Voice Media Group|work=The Houston Press|accessdate=26 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://houstoncalling.net/2009/07/31/houston-press-music-awards-winners-2/|title=Houston Press Music Award Winners|publisher=David Cobb|work=Houston Calling|date=31 July 2009|accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref> During this time, he also started a radio show in 1995, ''Soular Grooves'' on KPFT 90.1 FM, Pacifica Network. The music played on ''Soular Grooves'' has the aesthetics of soul and jazz, irrespective of bpm or tempo. ''Soular Grooves'' was initially known as an acid jazz show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/1997-08-21/music/here-comes-the-sun/|title=Here Comes The Sun|last=Rowland|first=Hobart|date=|publisher=Voice Media Group|work=The Houston Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lipczyk|first=Jacob|title=DJ Sun- One Hundred|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2013/03/04/dj-sun-one-hundred/|work=The Aquarian Weekly|publisher=Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas|accessdate=4 March 2013}}</ref>

DJ Sun's style has been described by music writers like Shea Serrano of ''The Houston Press'' weekly<ref>{{cite web|last=Serrano|first=Shea|title=Monday Night Hero|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-12-23/music/monday-night-hero/|work=Houston Press|publisher=Village Voice Media Holdiings|accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> as varied with a distinct signature for loungey, groove-oriented eclectic music shaped by his exposure to music while living abroad.

In 2007, DJ Sun became a music producer with the release of ''Monday Drive'' (Alternate Take Records), an EP reflective of his varied background, blending styles and nostalgic aesthetics into a down to midtempo paced EP. DJ Sun released ''Para'', a 12” EP which included remixes from DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas), J Boogie (OM) and Genre Jazz (Presto and Mhax Montes), released in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Donna|title=DJ Sun Interview: SXSW 2010|url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/15/dj-sun-interview-sxsw-2010/|work=Spinner|publisher=AOL Music|accessdate=15 March 2010|archive-date=3 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403002950/http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/15/dj-sun-interview-sxsw-2010/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aolradio.slacker.com/|title=AOL Radio Stations|last=Inc|first=Slacker|website=AOL Radio|access-date=2017-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325214944/http://aolradio.slacker.com/|archive-date=2016-03-25|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-02-19/music/dj-sun-para-ep/|title=DJ Sun: Para EP|last=Hlavaty|first=Craig|date=2009-02-18|work=Houston Press|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref>

On January 15, 2013, DJ Sun released "One Hundred", a 19-track album featuring guests Tim Ruiz (La Mafia), Leah Alvarez, Jessica Zweback, Mark Sound, Meghan Hendley, and Martin Perna.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guerra|first=Joey|title=DJ Sun rises to the occasion with soundtrack to Houston|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/DJ-Sun-rises-to-the-occasion-with-soundtrack-to-4199255.php|work=Houston Chronicle|date=16 January 2013|publisher=Hearst Corporation|accessdate=17 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Chris|title=DJ Sun's Guided Tour of One Hundred, Part 1|url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/01/dj_sun_one_hundred.php|work=The Houston Press|publisher=Voice Media Group|accessdate=16 January 2013|archive-date=18 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118045420/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/01/dj_sun_one_hundred.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Chris|title=DJ Sun's Guided Tour of One Hundred, Part 2|url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/01/dj_sun_one_hundred_part_2.php|work=The Houston Press|publisher=Voice Media Group|accessdate=17 January 2013|archive-date=27 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227011016/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/01/dj_sun_one_hundred_part_2.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Admin|title=DJ Sun – 100|url=http://www.nerdyframes.org/?p=35857|accessdate=23 January 2013|newspaper=Nerdy Frames|date=23 January 2013}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Soon after that, on October 10, 2013, DJ Sun was awarded the ''Best CD by a Local Musician'' in the annual Best Of Houston edition of ''The Houston Press''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/bestof/2013/award/best-cd-by-a-local-musician-3574603/|title=Best CD by a Local Musician: DJ Sun, One Hundred {{!}} Best of Houston® 2013: Your Key to the City|website=Houston Press|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref>

In 2016, DJ Sun released his album ''QINGXI'', a concept album culminating from an ancestral quest to China (funded by Asia Society Center Texas). It has been received favorably by reviewers such as Phil from "Phil's Picks", who referred to it as "One Of 2016’s Most Original, Creative New EDM Offerings".<ref>{{cite web|title=Sun's Resolution with DJ Sun|url=http://asiasociety.org/texas/sunsresolution|website=Texas Asia Society|accessdate=October 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Qingxi Is One Of 2016's Most Original, Creative New EDM Offerings|url=https://philspicks.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/qingxi-is-one-of-2016s-most-original-creative-new-edm-offerings/|website=Phil's Picks|date=20 April 2016|accessdate=April 20, 2016}}</ref>

In April 2018, Free Radicals released remixes by DJ Sun on their album ''No State Solution'', a remastered and remixed collection of tracks from their past six albums.<ref>{{cite web|title=Free Radicals 'No State Solution' album review|url=https://topshelfmusicmag.com/reviews/free-radicals-no-state-solution-album-review/|website=Top Shelf Music|accessdate=June 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Premiere: Free Radicals – Screaming (DJ Sun Remix)|url=https://newsflash.bigshotmag.com/mp3s/stream/56487/|website=Big Shot|accessdate=April 30, 2018|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505174800/http://newsflash.bigshotmag.com/mp3s/stream/56487/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Free Radicals Argue There's "No State Solution" on New Single (premiere)|url=https://www.popmatters.com/free-radicals-no-state-solution-2562567275.html|website=Popmatters|date=23 April 2018|accessdate=April 23, 2018}}</ref>

On November 2, 2019, DJ Sun performed on stage as the opening act for Khruangbin at White Oak Music Hall in Houston. Mark Speer, from Khruangbin, during the show described DJ Sun as "a Houston music legend, a mentor and one of his oldest friends."<ref>{{cite web|title=Khruangbin Amps Up Its Houston Pride|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/review-khruangbin-white-oak-music-hall-november-2-2019-11385123|website=Houston Press|accessdate=November 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Knowledge Arena: In conversation with: Khruangbin|url=https://youtube.com/JasR8lqTS6Y|website=Dimensions Festival|accessdate=January 12, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Khruangbin's H-Town Homecoming Was Nothing Short of a Beautiful Night|url=http://coogradio.com/2019/11/khruangbins-htown-homecoming-was-nothing-short-of-a-beautiful-night|website=Coog Radio.com|date=5 November 2019|accessdate=November 13, 2019}}</ref>

On Saturday July 23, 2022, DJ Sun assembled a 14-piece orchestra featuring various Houston musicians including Chris Dave on drums, and Fat Tony (rapper) and SAM/SIN (DJ Sun’s daughter and the ''Loveletter'' playwright) on vocals. The show marked the release of DJ Sun's 3rd album ''Loveletter''. The concert was held at Moores School of Music Opera House, on the campus of The University of Houston, to a sold out venue.<ref>{{cite web|title=Electronic and Symphony Music Come Together With Poetry In One Unique Houston Concert — DJ Sun Keeps It Interesting|url=https://www.papercitymag.com/arts/dj-sun-loveletter-orchestra-moores-opera-house-concert/|website=www.papercitymag.com/|date=18 August 2022|accessdate=August 18, 2022}} </ref> <ref>{{cite web|title=Houston’s DJ Sun teams with conductor Marlon Chen for Moores Opera House show|url=https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-dj-sun-teams-with-conductor-marlon-17313175|website=preview.houstonchronicle.com|date=19 July 2022|accessdate=July 19, 2022}}</ref>

On Saturday June 8, 2023, DJ Sun and Houston's Aperio Orchestra teamed up to perform Loveletter with a 25-piece orchestra conducted by Marlon Chen, with SAM/SIN returning as a featured vocalist. The event took place at Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park, Houston.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Houston's DJ Sun reimagined his music for a 25-piece orchestra|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/shows/houston-matters/2023/06/07/453799/how-houstons-dj-sun-reimagined-his-music-for-a-25-piece-orchestra/|date=7 June 2023|accessdate=June 7, 2023}}</ref>

==Discography== *''Current Cuts Vol. 1'' (2007) *“Sure” (7"-single format) - Soular Productions (2007) *“Ten” - Label-less Scion CD 11 (Scion/The Rebel Organization) (2008) *"Monday Drive EP" (Alt Take Records) (2008) *"Para EP" (Alt Take Records) (2009) *"One Hundred EP" (Soular Productions) (2010) *''One Hundred'' (full album) (Soular Productions) (2013)<ref>{{cite web|last=Lipczyk|first=Jacob|title=DJ Sun- One Hundred|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2013/03/04/dj-sun-one-hundred/|work=The Aquarian Weekly|publisher=Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas|accessdate=4 March 2013}}</ref> *''Qingxi'' (full album) (Soular Productions) (2016) *"Screaming Remix"- Free Radicals and DJ Sun (2018) *"Loveletter" (Soular Productions) (2022)<ref>{{cite web|last=Morgan|first=Bruce|title=Get To Know: DJ Sun|url=https://djmag.com/features/get-know-dj-sun|work=DJ Mag|publisher=Thrust Publishing Ltd|accessdate=9 January 2013}}</ref>

==Awards== *1999-2005, 2009, 2013: Houston Press DJ of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://houstoncalling.net/2009/07/31/houston-press-music-awards-winners-2/|title=Houston Press Music Awards winners|website=Houston Calling|date=31 July 2009|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://assets.houstonpress.com/2000-07-27/news/music-awards-winners/4|title=Music Awards Winners|date=2000-07-27|work=Houston Press|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-07-26/music/2007-houston-press-music-awards-showcase/full|title=2007 Houston Press Music Awards Showcase|last=Lomax|first=Valerie Alberto, Olivia Flores Alvarez, Chris Gray, John Nova|date=2007-07-26|work=Houston Press|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/content/printVersion/230659|title=¡Viva H-town!|last=Lomax|first=John Nova|date=2004-08-05|work=Houston Press|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://houstoncalling.net/2013/08/08/congratulations-to-the-2013-houston-press-music-awards-winners/|title=Congratulations to the 2013 Houston Press Music Awards winners|website=Houston Calling|date=8 August 2013|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref> *2013: Best CD By A Local Musician- DJ Sun, ''One Hundred'' (Soular Productions, 2013)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/bestof/2013/award/best-cd-by-a-local-musician-3574603/|title=Best CD by a Local Musician: DJ Sun, One Hundred {{!}} Best of Houston® 2013: Your Key to the City|website=Houston Press|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref> *2014 Houston Press Hall of Fame <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/the-2014-class-of-the-houston-music-hall-of-fame-6602213|title=The 2014 Class of the Houston Music Hall of Fame|website=Houston Press|access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/15/dj-sun-interview-sxsw-2010/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403002950/http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/15/dj-sun-interview-sxsw-2010/ |date=2012-04-03 }} *http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-02-19/music/dj-sun-para-ep/

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sun, DJ}} Category:American DJs Category:Club DJs Category:Musicians from Houston Category:Living people Category:Surinamese emigrants to the United States Category:1966 births Category:Electronic dance music DJs