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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE CAREER AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STEVE “SILK” HURLEY
WHEREAS, Steve “Silk” Hurley has amassed a three-decade career as one of the most decorated music producers, remixers, songwriters, and DJs in Chicago music history; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley was born on November 9th, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Lindblom High School, Steve Silk Hurley enrolled in junior college. He would leave junior college to pursue a full-time career in the music industry; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley gained a positive reputation early in his career as a well-respected house music DJ for his unique style of mixing; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley used his unique DJ style to release his first single “Music is the Key” which reached #9 on the Billboard charts. This single propelled him as a prominent music producer; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley teamed with vocalist Keith Nunnally to form the group J.M. Silk. The group toured the country performing songs such as “Jack Your Body” which reached #1 on the U.K. National Chart for two consecutive weeks; and
WHEREAS, after creating a string of #1 hits under the RCA Record label, Steve Silk Hurley pioneered a new style of remixing that included replacing the original song with a completely new rhythm track. This creativity has led many to declare Steve Silk Hurley as one of the greatest remixers of all time; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley translated his success as a house music DJ to writing where he wrote songs and collaborated with artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, CeCe Peniston, Ten City, J-Lo, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Liza Minelli, and others. Steve Silk Hurley also contributed to the soundtracks for the movies of “To Wong Foo” and “Love & Basketball”; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley has created many record labels over his career including: Silk Entertainment Records, ID Records, Echotron Records, S&S Records, S&S Chicago Inc and DJ World Records. Thanks to his leadership, each music label has achieved both national and international success; and
WHEREAS, for more than 24 years, Steve Silk Hurley has appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. His “Old Skool, New Skool Remix” can be heard every Tuesday and Thursday on 128 radio stations across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley was elected President and Trustee at the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Chicago (NARAS Chicago) where he led Grammy in the Schools” program and others that reached underserved youth throughout all of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Steve Silk Hurley considers his four Grammy nominations to be the pinnacle of his career; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the
millions of our county residents, does hereby congratulate Steve “Silk” Hurley on a successful 30-year career in the music industry and his many contributions that have positively impacted the lives of many citizens of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Steve “Silk” Hurley and his family in recognition of this honor.
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