# DJ Sun

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{{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](/source/Rotterdam), [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands)
| origin          = [Houston, Texas](/source/Houston%2C_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](/source/Martin_Perna), Tim Ruiz ([La Mafia](/source/La_Mafia)), Leah Alvarez, Karina Nistal, Quincy Banks, DJ Sabo,  DJ E's E, [J Boogie](/source/J_Boogie), [Free Radicals](/source/Free_Radicals_(band)), [Khruangbin](/source/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](/source/Rotterdam), the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands), his mother a native New Yorker, with roots in [Aruba](/source/Aruba) and [St. Maarten](/source/St._Maarten), and his father from [Suriname](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Houston%2C_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](/source/KPFT) 90.1 FM, [Pacifica](/source/Pacifica_Radio) 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](/source/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](/source/Shea_Serrano) of ''[The Houston Press](/source/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](/source/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](/source/La_Mafia)), Leah Alvarez, Jessica Zweback, Mark Sound, Meghan Hendley, and [Martin Perna](/source/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](/source/Texas_Asia_Society)). 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](/source/Free_Radicals_(band)) 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](/source/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](/source/Chris_Dave) on drums, and [Fat Tony (rapper)](/source/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](/source/Moores_School_of_Music) Opera House, on the campus of [The University of Houston](/source/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](/source/Miller_Outdoor_Theater) in [Hermann Park](/source/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/

{{Authority control}}

{{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

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