“Godmother of House” by Dustin Hunt // Summer 2023

Woodward Avenue and Endicott Avenue // Detroit, Michigan

Approximately 45’ W X 4-10’ H // latex and spray paint

Dustin was honored to participate in Detroit’s annual BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival and had the pleasure of muralizing a Detroit living legend and trailblazing DJ, Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, known as the Godmother of House music. Stacey is considered Detroit’s first female DJ and among a class of DJs that laid the groundwork for an influential form of electronic music movement recognized globally. Stacey remains a prominent DJ, committed to the craft of DJing while also teaching younger generations music production at Spin Inc and Girls Rock Detroit. Stacey is a part of Black Women Rock, founded by Detroit poet Jessica Care Moore, a group dedicated to honoring the legacy of Betty Davis.

In several Red Bull Music Academy interviews featuring early Detroit DJs, Stacey, and others referenced some of the venues that existed, allowing DJs to learn and craft their skills and sound. Chess Mate was one of those venues, as seen in the reflection of Stacey’s sunglasses.

Dustin contacted Stacey to see if she would like to participate in this potential mural project, and she said, “Yes! I would love that!”